Preschool Chapel and Young Disciples Telling the Story

 Bonnie Hughes teaches at

 Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool

 in Springfield,Virginia.

Not only does she work 
with the littles--- 2 1/2 year olds,

she is the Director of the Art

 that happens in the building.

 Over a period of about 2 weeks, 

she works with the students as they begin to visualize

 the stories leading up to and during Holy Week. 

Zacchaeus leads into the Holy Week prep.
The 4 year old classes make most of the murals.The
Teachers read the Bible story of the mural
 they are going to work on. 
Then they ask the children for ideas 
of how they could tell this story by way of a picture.

The Kindergarten class makes
 the Last Supper mural.
The classroom teacher reads 
multiple versions to the students
 of the mural they are creating.
They also look at different artist's
 interpretations of that story.
Then they discuss how they could
 tell the story and what the essential elements
would be for the mural. 
  Children then create the pieces

 that make up the large murals.

They measure about 3 by 4 feet.

 They are mixed media

 and mixed process creations.
What I really love is how Bonnie talks
 about the art and the young creators.
"This art is an example of 
children working not only as artists, 
but as disciples of Jesus,
 telling important faith stories through their work."

 Painting, cutting, and glueing.

This has been a tradition at Prince of Peace 

for over 30 years.

 I can remember the Easter chapel

 for our own children when the murals lined up

 in the front of the sanctuary for worship.

Now a grandson attends this very preschool 

and will bring this faithful tradition
 to another generation.

The murals remain in the narthex 
to visually tell and enhance

 the Holy Week and Easter story

 to all who step into the building.

You can almost hear the shout- 

Alleluia- Jesus is Alive!

Thanks to Visual Faith coach Bonnie Hughes
 for the photos and this story.