Fall 2021: Welcoming All

 

Weeds & Water and Worms ... Oh My! 

By Nancy Meisel Youngman and Nan Rice

 

      What a joy to have so many families participate in Weed and Water Wednesdays (WWW) this summer! From planting seeds in early May to picking the harvest in August, the children have delighted in the growth of the garden as well as the flowers in the yard.

      They love filling their little watering cans to quench the thirst of each plant, chopping open vegetables to find the seeds inside, splashing in the water table, and especially listening to story time with Nancy. 

 

Wiggling, wriggling worms

      Earth worms wriggle through the soil and create tunnels and pathways for air and water. They munch on organic matter and through digestion, leave nutrients deeper in the dirt. 

      These are a few facts we learned about worms at Weed & Water Wednesday (WWW) on August 4. We examined earth worms with a magnifying glass and watched them wiggle across a wet paper towel before returning them to the earth where they could continue their work. 

      The children chanted passages from our story, “Worm Weather” by Jean Taft: “Worm, worm, wiggle, squirm, drip, drop, skip, and hop!” We even practiced wriggling through a worm shaped tunnel. It was not a surprise that our smallest friends, 2-year-olds Jack and Llewyn, were the fastest wigglers. 

      Members of the “youth crew” -- Andy, Leo, Dom, and Zeke – helped to supervise our worm related activities. 

      Pastor Elizabeth inspired extra joy and exuberance by leading the singing of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” 

      Everyone felt a wonderful wiggling wriggling welcome. 

 

Stone Soup

      Weed & Water Wednesday 2021 culminated with reading and making Stone Soup on Wednesday August 11. YUM! 

      Each child really put a stone into the pot along with their chopped tomatoes, cabbage, onion, okra, zucchini, basil, carrots, green beans from their garden! 

      After chopping, the children popped it all in the pot and ten minutes later Tim Rice was serving them hot soup! Miracle! 

      We all gobbled it up!!

   Thanks to Epworth Youth -- Leo, Andy, Dominick, Zeke, and Essence -- who worked so diligently throughout the summer on set up and who helped little hands be successful with each activity. What a wonderful crew! 

More to Come

      Families are all invited to join us on Sunday mornings for Toddler Time at 9:00! (see page 2)

      Then Starting November 10, we hope to gather again at Cabin Fever or Toy Library on Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:30 am

            Thanks, Families, for sharing your children with us!

 

      About 35 of Epworth’s neighbors gathered in front of the church -- on the lawn and sidewalk as well as in the street -- to celebrate National Night Out on August 3. This has been a much-loved community event and two years had passed since the community has been able to gather this way.

      Nancy Meisel-Youngman said, “So many people are yearning for community, reasons to gather together.”

      Under COVID restrictions, rather than a potluck, Epworth provided a grill and asked neighbors to bring their own food. Water and lemonade were also provided as well as table and chairs, and chalk and bubbles.