Lac La Biche - As the days count down to Easter, it's becoming more apparent the quarantine is not ending anytime soon. Children have been sequestered in their homes, since classes being cancelled on March 16 due to the COVID-19 virus. Social distancing is giving some residents ideas to find creative ways to show kids and parents they are not alone.
Sonia Vien, the Children’s Minister at Lac La Biche's New Life Victory Fellowship, was driving around the community on March 27, delivering ‘Easter Kits’ to children who attend the church. The homemade kits contain activity sheets, a book, candy, and an advent calendar, counting down the days to Easter. Each day of the advent calendar teaches the Biblical story of Easter.
“I thought it would be a great idea because the kids can’t come to church anymore and they are all out of school, so it’s a way to keep them busy and have something to do each day,” says Vien. “I left it open to whoever wanted some, so I am making them for people who aren’t in the church as well.”
Creating safely
While Vein was making the kits, she was being careful and using hand sanitizer frequently and keeping her work station clean to keep the kits as safe as possible.
She has also thought of other ways for children to get excited about Easter without any risk of coming in contact with the virus. On Vien’s Facebook page, which also links t the church's social media site, she has made an online scavenger hunt, which she has titled, ‘Hunt for Easter.’
“Families just need to submit their pictures with the answers to all the clues, and the family that wins gets a free batch of mini egg cookies,” says Vien.
Vien knows this time of social distancing and isolation is difficult for everyone, so she says she is going to continue to find ways to make people feel connected.
“I think a lot of people feel like they are alone,” says Vien. “So that’s why it’s important to do things like this so everyone can feel a part of something even though we aren’t able to see each other. It makes people feel like someone is looking out for them, which makes isolation a lot easier.”
Officials at New Life Victory Church, like others throughout the Lakeland, are hosting Sunday services using social media streaming.
