Permission
slips and Reservations are required for
all programs not held at the church.
Euclid Avenue Congregational Church - (216)
791-5200
SATURDAY
FUN, PAST AND PRESENT
In February of 1957, almost half a century ago, a
“Saturday Morning Children’s Program” was launched at EACC to serve the
children of the community as well as the children of the church. Its
announced purpose was to “guide children’s activities and interests into
wholesome and constructive channels.” Many adult members of this
congregation came into our church first through their affiliation with
that program, which became known as Saturday Fun. Johnnie Mitchell
brought her children, including her daughter Cheryl (Wacasey), to
Saturday Fun’s first sessions. Johnnie’s not sure when she became its
leader instead of just a participating parent, but a 1980 Beacon names
her as Saturday Fun’s Director, and Cheryl as her assistant.
Today Cheryl directs the program with the
assistance of Precious Bogard. Saturday Fun still meets two Saturdays a
month for a party, a craft project, an informative speaker, a field
trip, or to go bowling, sledding or skating. The advertised ages of the
20-60 children who attend is 6 through 12, but Cheryl still has four
boys in the group who are 16 and don’t want to stop coming, so she
welcomes them. All the children call her Auntie Cheryl. The kids come
from all over, mostly from the neighborhood, but some also from Shaker
Heights, Cleveland Heights, Warrensville Heights, and other parts of
Cleveland. The goal of the program is still to engage the children in
enriching activities, but Cheryl and Precious also serve as role models,
and encourage the children to become whatever they want to be, to work
hard, to love one another and to love God.
EACC members are urged to contribute time, money,
or materials to Saturday Fun, or simply to drop in some Saturday to see
that the children are, truly, having fun.
Congratulations and gratitude to Johnnie and
Cheryl for making this one of our church’s most longstanding and
worthwhile projects.
ARTS IN MINISTRY
AND SATURDAY FUN
QUILTING CRAFT
During the annual AIM art exhibit last fall,
children and youth had an opportunity to create their own artwork and quilt
squares. Many thanks to Cyndi Henderson, who recently pieced together and
bound all the quilt squares created into a beautiful and colorful Saturday
Fun Quilt. The quilt is on display in the church parlor.
