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Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church brings the Easter story to life by building a town of Jerusalem on the lawn and inviting families to an interactive trip into the pages of the Bible.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church brings the Easter story to life by building a town of Jerusalem on the lawn and inviting families to an interactive trip into the pages of the Bible.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church brings the Easter story to life – by building a town of Jerusalem on the lawn and inviting families to an interactive trip into the pages of the Bible.
The Easter Village opens each year on the Saturday before the holiday at the congregation located at 11612 Memorial Drive.
Each “shop” in the village is dedicated to a portion of the Holy Week story, recounting the last few days of Jesus’ life.
Each booth offers an activity to correspond with the narrative. For example, at the “Soap and Sandal Shop,” children will learn about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
“And the kids will make a foot scrub to take home and remind them that we are to serve others the way Jesus served,” director of children’s ministry Keri Mosk said.
At the Bake Shop, children learn about the Last Supper and make a piece of bread to enjoy with grape juice. Then, at the Spice Shop, guests make a necklace and learn about the women who went to Jesus’ tomb.
At the Leather Shop, the lesson is Judas’ betrayal. A coin toss game symbolizes the 30 pieces of silver Judas was paid.
“The booths really do appeal to all senses,” Mosk said. “It’s an immersive experience, and it is personalized for each child.”
Youth hear the story, but they also employ touch, taste and smell to leave a lasting impression. By using experiential learning, Memorial Drive wants the story to come alive for the children and become more meaningful.
“It lends itself to all types of learners,” Mosk said.
Children are invited to wander the village at their own pace. At each shop they visit, they are also given a trading card, which has discussion questions on the back.
For example, the card might read, “How can I serve others?” Or “When was a time you felt excited about Jesus?”
“The collectible cards really are meant for children, once they get home, to help process the day,” Mosk said. “The hope is that they might open up their Bibles with their families. We want to equip their parents as faith leaders at home.”
The Easter Village also features a petting zoo, egg hunt and a collaborative service project, bagging beans and rice for the church’s food pantry.
The event was the brainchild of Rachel Poysky, Memorial Drive Presbyterian’s next generation pastor.
“It’s a good thing that actually came out of COVID,” she said. “COVID forced the church in a good way to think about how we do ministry – and what are new, innovative ways to bring the church to people.”
Before the pandemic, Memorial Drive Presbyterian offered members a Journey of the Cross event inside the building.
Staying indoors was no longer an option in 2021.
“We had moved our Christmas fest outside during COVID,” Poysky said. “And we had such a great response.”
She wanted to do something similar for Easter, and the idea of a Jerusalem village was born. It was an immediate hit.
“We really drew from what we had been doing indoors for so many years and just revamped it and modernized it,” Mosk added.
Hosting the event outdoors also made it more appealing to neighbors who are not church members, Poysky said.
“It just made it more accessible to the community,” she said. “It’s easier to step onto the parking lot than come inside the building.”
Miah Collins, a resident of Timbergrove, said his children brought their friends.
“It’s just as fun and laid back as your neighborhood egg hunt, but they’re also learning the story behind Easter,” Collins said.
His family looks forward to the Easter Village each year. “It’s something we don’t want to miss,” he said.
Poysky thinks it’s a great way for parents to engage with their kids. “We want to help families tell the Easter story,” she said. “This is a tool we can give them. We’re providing a place where they can walk through the Easter story, and it’s not a story that is just told once.”
Preparations for the Easter Village began right after Christmas. It takes about 75 volunteers to prepare and manage the event.
“We want to keep the story at the center,” Poysky said. “And we want to provide opportunities for families to learn about faith together. That’s the biggest win. We’re helping make sacred memories, and that becomes an anchor to their faith.”
Lindsay Peyton is ReNew Houston’s Transformation columnist.
On Tangley Street near Rice Village there are two needlepoint shops, Stitches in Time and Needle House, catering to both old and young generations of stitchers.