Like last year, I was a crew leader for a group of six to eight children (depending on the night), all but one of them boys.  The week was a blast, albeit very tiring; here’s a review of the week:

Monday

Sea Creature: Clown Fish
Be-Attitude: Be Obedient
Surfin’ Scripture: Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. (Jeremiah 7:23)
Bible Story: The Call of Gideon (Judges 6:14-15; 6:36-7:21)

Tuesday

Sea Creature: Starfish
Be-Attitude: Be Kind
Surfin’ Scripture: As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourself in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
Bible Story: David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-11)

Wednesday

Sea Creature: Oyster
Be-Attitude: Be Forgiving
Surfin’ Scripture: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Bible Story: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-33)

Thursday

Sea Creature: Sea Turtle
Be-Attitude: Be Bold
Surfin’ Scripture: And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)
Bible Story: A Woman Healed (Luke 8:40-48)

Friday

Sea Creature: Sand Dollar
Be-Attitude: Believe
Surfin’ Scripture: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. (John 20:29b)
Bible Story: Jesus and Thomas (John 20:24-29)

By the end of the week, i think I was finally able to connect with the girl in my group.  She was very quiet most of the week, but she came into the church Friday night and wanted to show me a photo of her dog.  It was so awesome to see her open up like that.

Throughout the week I encouraged her to attend Sunday’s closing session and all she would say is “No.”  By Friday night, though, her response was “I think so.”  While it wasn’t a definitive  ”Yes” I was super excited that she had considered coming.

Next year I think we’re going back to Group’s curriculum, as some things, especially the pre-school lessons, weren’t as effective as in years past.  Despite that, we reached out to over 100 children each day–what an amazing ministry!

Throughout the evening, a small group of people handed out close to 250 bags of candy, offered water, and opened our restrooms to trick-or-treaters. The bags of candy also contained a Christ UMC pen or pencil and were tied with a string that had a Halloween business card on it. After giving out all of the pre-bagged candy, we opened (and promptly dispensed of) three or four bags of mixed, loose candy. I also took a number of photographs during the event and I’m guessing they’ll either be shown on the projector before an upcoming service or placed on one of our bulletin boards.

For a first time event, I was quite pleased with the turnout (and I’m not even on the children’s ministry team!). I didn’t stay around to discuss the night with others, but I’m guessing that we’ll be holding this event next year with only a slight change: more candy!!