After pandemic, Modesto church renews Easter outreach to community; more hunts today
After a three-year break because of the pandemic, the kids were back at Geneva Presbyterian Church for a Saturday morning egg hunt, part of the Modesto church’s Easter celebration.
The youngsters also heard a children’s version of the resurrection in the church sanctuary, won prizes and took home bags of candy. The church will hold its Easter service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Saturday started with a pancake breakfast that drew 50 to 80 people.
Pastor Joshua Trautmann said the turnout was a little below what it was before the pandemic. He said the church has been holding the pancake breakfast and egg hunt for many years. He said more than half of the families who come for breakfast and the egg hunt are from the community and not church members.
“It’s a good way of reaching out to new people,” Trautmann said. “... This is a great way to let people know there are people who care, and there are communities who are inviting and accepting.”
Denene Travis, 61, said Geneva Presbyterian has held the pancake breakfast and egg hunt in the 22 years that she has been a member. She said it was great for the tradition to be back after a three-year hiatus. “It’s good to see all the people,” she said, “and the children back here enjoying themselves celebrating Jesus.”
There also is an egg hunt Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 850 16th St. The downtown Modesto church is celebrating Easter with a 7 a.m. sunrise service on its lawn and a 10 a.m. service in its sanctuary.
And people can dress up in their Easter best to be part of a Victorian-era parade at Columbia State Historic Park in Tuolumne County. Registration is at 11 a.m. with the parade at 1 p.m. Egg hunts begin at noon, 2 and 2:30 p.m. by age group. For more information, go to visitcolumbiacalifornia.com.
This story was originally published April 8, 2023 at 12:32 PM.
