CALVARY COUPLE DEVOTES OVER 40 YEARS TO CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
By: Sharon Meaney,
Staff Writer

It's a typical 10:45 Sunday School hour in the Two's class at Calvary. The atmosphere is relaxed. A few children play together. Some listen as "Uncle Ron" Edmondson reads. Others sit with his wife Barbara, working on their craft for the day. Together with assistant teacher Lavina, this team has logged in more than 80 years of service!

After so many years, Barbara has seen multiple generations of kids coming through her classroom.

"That makes me feel old!" Barbara laughs as she helps a little girl with a sticker for her craft. "I came in to help the current teacher at the time, and just kind of stayed, I guess!" She turns toward a little boy who begins to cry when his dad leaves, but Ron picks him up in a big bear hug and gets him interested in the room's toys and activities.

Until last year, Barbara also provided home-based home care. "It's just rewarding. I love kids, so I just enjoy it."

Most weeks, Barbara personally prepares crafts for Sunday morning and sends out handwritten postcards to each child who missed a Sunday. The team hopes that these personal touches will show their love to the children in their care. Their efforts are rewarded by the children themselves.

"Little ones' smiles and recognition outside the classroom when we see them around town," Barbara says. "It's just really rewarding work, especially, when they come in crying and you get them involved, and then they stop, and are OK."

The little boy who earlier entered in tears now sits happily with Barbara, working on his craft for the day. All the tears are forgotten. All his fears are gone. There is no greater reward.

More about Calvary's Children's Ministries >