The Orchards Church touched more lives this summer through its pioneer program, Sidewalk Kids Hour. With the help of 10 high school and college students, the program, started in 2007 by Wendy Stalcup, was expanded this year to two neighborhoods each day and presented a lively children's program, filled with music, drama, puppets, object lessons and stories of God's love. Unlike a traditional Vacation Bible School, which invites children to a church, the Sidewalk Kids Hour team made weekly trips to two locations over the course of eight weeks. Children only needed to watch for the big red trailer to roll in to know another hour of fun and learning was on the way.
Drew, a young fan of the program, enjoyed Sidewalk Kids Hour because, "It's fun and you can learn about Jesus and you can have a great time."
John Wesslen, Orchards Church pastor, enjoys watching people return to the program who have attended in past years.
Last summer there was a couple who were living in a camper in the park who would come to the programs and enjoyed them. This year they both have jobs and are living in an apartment. "They were at the meeting tonight and helped us put things away," says Wesslen.
Some families even traveled to both programs in order to enjoy the free programming and meals. Shannon Lindberg has five children ages 12, 10, 6, 3 and 2. "They enjoy the skits, the prizes and the games," Lindberg explains. "It gives them something to look forward to. We get up in the morning and say, ‘Today is Tuesday and church is having pizza,' and they know it is church day."
A host of eager youth, nicknamed greenshirts, offer their time and energy to make Sidewalk Kids Hour possible. (Shelly Hillman)
Green-clad helpers direct traffic as energetic attendees enjoy organized game stations. (Shelly Hillman)
Madison Hillman (left) and Chelsea Anstead, impersonate angels welcoming Jesus' friends to heaven. (Shelly Hillman)
Orchards Park was the site for the Thursday afternoon edition of Sidewalk Kids Hour, where the church comes to the children. (Richard Dower)
