Saturday Day-Camp Great Success!

In a heartwarming celebration of faith and community, St. Johannes hosted a special event, the Fall-O-Ween Jesus Day Camp. This five-hour day camp, organized with tremendous care and dedication by Amy Biffano, was a testament to the power of love, compassion, and the unifying spirit of faith. The theme, "Fall-O-Ween Jesus," was thoughtfully designed to encourage the children to ask themselves, "Do we follow Jesus?"

Held on a bright and beautiful Saturday, this event allowed young hearts from St. Johannes and the local community to unite and explore their faith. The focal point of the day was a Bible verse from Matthew 4:19, which reads, "And [Jesus] said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

The children didn't just passively listen to this verse; they took it to heart, memorizing it and, more importantly, learning about the deeper meaning behind Jesus' call to his first disciples. Through interactive sessions, they dove into what it truly means to follow Jesus daily.

To keep the energy high and fun, the day was filled with varying fun games that encouraged teamwork, friendship, and laughter. It was evident that every detail of the event had been carefully considered, thanks to Amy's outstanding organizational and baking skills.

However, the Fall-O-Ween Jesus Day Camp was not solely about play and learning; it also aimed to instill a sense of compassion in the young participants. They rolled up their sleeves to bake cookies made with love to be distributed to shut-ins within the church community. These sweet treats were accompanied by heartfelt greeting cards crafted by the children themselves. This act of kindness embodied the event's theme – spreading love and warmth to those feeling lonely or isolated.

The event boasted a fantastic turnout, with nine children registering and nine showing up. Most of these young participants came from St. Johannes families, fostering a strong sense of community. The day's success was made possible through the dedication of volunteers, including Cassie Norvell, Sharon Pruitt, Robbin Mosier, Lucas Murley, Sean Holleran, and Cynthia Mays, who worked tirelessly to ensure everything went smoothly. Pastor Aaron DeBenedetto was also present, actively engaging with the children. He taught them a song and even participated in a spirited game of marshmallow dodgeball.

If Saturday's events were not enough fun, ALL of the children and their families came to worship on Sunday. Pastor Aaron engaged and involved the children at many points during the service. The highlight was when the children sang all the new songs they had learned about following Jesus. 

The resounding response to the weekend of events was one of gratitude. The St. Johannes community recognized the tremendous effort, love, and financial contributions made by their Parish Administrator, Amy Biffano, who organized the day camp out of her deep love for Jesus and the goodness of her heart. The Fall-O-Ween Jesus Day Camp left a lasting mark on all who attended, reinforcing the values of faith, unity, and compassionate outreach. It was a day that will be cherished in the hearts of the St. Johannes community for years to come.