Dear Westwood,
It seems most of us look forward to summertime, with its hopes of refreshing freedom in our schedules, extra rest, activity choices and added adventures. For kids at Westwood Church, all those hopes are being maximized as best we can. We are off on a 5-week adventure (Sundays only!) which we are calling LIFE IN THE DESERT – THEN & NOW. This is becoming more and more an immersive experience each week as we add ideas to it. We hope this creative effort gives us all added meaning and delight! The leadership of our staff of teachers and volunteers is much appreciated!
Some of our plans include learning and wondering about a Bible story each week that is set in an ancient time in a desert. We need to know about the desert because so many important things happened for the people of God in the desert…so, we now have a small piece of the desert in our worship room. We call it our Desert Box. It’s on wheels, so we can easily bring it into our story circle. To add more meaning to our adventure, we are also learning about the ecology of deserts, how plants, animals, and people survive in deserts, wherever in the world we find them. We are trying out ancient activities the Israelites knew about during days in Egypt like pyramid building, secret papyrus arts, writing messages – even hieroglyphics – on stone “notepads.” We have also been enjoying food found in deserts. Most of us have found out we like eating dates, figs, “manna” and olives. We also wondered if the Israelites had goats with them, and if they did, did they make goat cheese? Yummmm. Some of us have discovered how to create our own tents! We indeed have needed hats and other head coverings, tunics, and sandals. This adventure has helped us discover Old Testament history and ways of living back then, but there will be much more to come as we move on through our year at Westwood.
Isabel Kilroe has begun work this month in a new interim role with our Westwood children as our Creative Arts, Music, and Movement Director. In her new role she is creating a rich, multi-dimensional program — one that extends beyond music alone. This is a child-centered, imagination-led path to spiritual growth—rooted in joy, discovery, art, movement and deep connection. While music remains a vibrant thread, it is woven into a larger tapestry that will include movement, storytelling, literature, visual arts, painting, sculpture, theater, fashion, and history. Each lesson is crafted as an immersive experience, brought to life through vivid, visually-rich presentations filled with color, sound, and spirit. The children are invited to explore faith through beauty, creativity, and wonder, as they discover the teachings of Jesus and the values at the heart of Christian life.
Deanna Edwards
