Puppets re-enforce scripture at St. John's Episcopal Church
Times News reporter Mary Tobia maryt6@ptd.net
Turn up the lights, check the sound and proceed with the actions.
The Puppet Ministry at Saint John’s Episcopal Church at 365 Lafayette in
Palmerton are taking center stage as youngsters have fun while learning
scriptures.
The Children’s Sunday School class along with their puppets performed the
first skit for the pubic entitled the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The
small program took place during the monthly children’s Sabbath Mass.
Much to the delight of Pastor Peter Harer, Sunday school teachers, parents
and parishioners the fifteen children of the newly formed puppet ministry
debut was a resounding success.
“We have been trying to get our younger children and teens involved more in
their church so we thought of the idea of puppet ministry. I got this idea
from the ETWN channel” said Denise Koons Sunday school aid at St John’s.
Koons believed in teaching through puppets so much that she started
collecting them herself. For the last year she went so far as asking her
family members not to buy her presents for those special holidays but to buy
her a puppet instead. She has acquired twelve different puppets to date.
“It difficult to compete with sporting activities on Sunday mornings so the
church wanted to do something different and fun to attract the children back
to Sunday school.” added Koons
With Sunday school teachers Paula Seiler and Sharon Noctor and the help of
many aids and volunteers the children, ages four through fifteen and along
with their puppets, rehearsed diligently for their first skit.
It was such a large success that they were asked to present the show to a
Lehighton Parish.
“It was darling and the kids spoke up with so much conviction. I don’t think
they will forget the parable and it really reinforced the meaning of the
Good Samaritan,” stated Marilyn Ord, former Sunday schoolteacher at St
Johns.
The puppet ministry has a special appeal to the Sunday school students at St
John’s.
“ They love it, when I say that we’re going to Sunday school to play with
the puppets their faces light up. It’s a great creative outlet for them.
It’s a win win situation”, explained Kelly Rodrigues, mother of eight-year-
old Dylon and six –year- old Devon.
Rehearsal has already begun for a second show. An all-new understanding of
Noah's Ark will take place as the youngsters prepare to act out the bible
story to the background of today’s music,
“We want to make it fun for the kids but yet so they can learn about the
scriptures” said Koons
Anyone who would like to have more information on how to join the Puppet
Ministry can call St Johns Episcopal Church at 610-826-2611
The newly formed Puppet Ministry of St Johns Episcopal Church in Palmerton
take time out of their rehearsal the evening before the début of their own
rendition of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Puppeteers:
Evan Williams, Sara Williams and Brett Williams. Devin Rodrigues, Dylan
Rodrigues, Janel Tracy, Jackie Tracy,Kristi Seiler and Kristopher Seiler.
Asa and Jenna Blynn, Ian and Lauren David, Blaise Lyons, Cole young, Eric
Schafer and Amber Zellner.
Sunday School Teachers and Aids
Denise Koons, Paula Seiler and Shari Noctor;
Harriet Rounds enjoyed a home visit screening of the Puppeteers programs.
God rest in Peace Harriet.