(Top left) Todd Kilpatrick stands over an oven used to fill with coals for slow roasting. (Top right) Friends and families of Puyallup UMC listen to Shoreline Fijian Fellowship, Seattle First Tongan Fellowship, and Tukwila Riverton Park Samoan Fellowship choirs as they perform at its Vacation Bible School Luau. (Bottom right) A member of Puyallup UMC carves a slow-cooked pig to serve at Vacation Bible School.
Puyallup UMC’s Vacation Bible School Luau! | By Megan Ernst Kilpatrick
Even a little rain couldn’t dampen the festivities!
The sprinkles started right before the meal blessing, but the 230 people at Puyallup UMC’s Vacation Bible School Luau didn’t mind. They just headed for some cover, balancing their chairs with plates of traditional luau foods such as pork, island rice, macaroni salad, baked beans, and many other tasty side dishes. Thankfully, the rain didn’t last long, and soon everyone was back enjoying the food, music, and fellowship.
This year was Puyallup’s 2nd Vacation Bible School Luau and it was heralded as a smashing success by everyone in attendance. At the conclusion of VBS, themed “Operation Overboard!”, attendees and their parents, plus church members and the greater community were invited to the luau. Entertainment featured the Shoreline Fijian Fellowship, Seattle First Tongan Fellowship, and Tukwila Riverton Park Samoan Fellowship choirs providing traditional Pacific Island singing performances, a bouncy house for the kids, a photo booth, Hawaiian “shave ice”, water table, sumo wrestling, volleyball, and door prizes. Just like last year though, the main highlight of the event was the whole roast pig—slow-cooked for 15 hours in an outdoor fire pit at the church. Carved and served at mealtime, it made for an entertainment experience in itself! Over the course of the afternoon smiles and laughter were in abundance, while everyone had a chance to appreciate each other’s diverse cultures. Also, donations of supplies received during the week helped to support New Beginnings Home, a local home for pregnant teens.
Special thanks go to the Rev. Shirley DeLarme for her colossal efforts in spearheading the event; the Rev. Jale Tuirotuma and the Shoreline Fijian Fellowship choir; the Rev. Mausia Folau and the Seattle First Tongan Fellowship; and the Rev. Amani Tamaalii and the Tukwila Riverton Park Samoan choir for providing outstanding music.
Also thanks to the Rev. Ann Berney, Monte and Diane Windsor, Megan and Todd Kilpatrick, Kelly Dietz, Keith Jenkins, Tim and Brooke Nyhus, Ronnie Price, Wendy Parlari and Mark Logan, Susan Hodge, Kasandra Paholsky, Kelli’s friend (ticket sales & prizes mgmt), Craig Isom & Celia Peacock (MCs), Laura & Sherry Matthews (Jump House), Bob Berndt & Steve Roberts (Sumo), Kitty & Randy Peacock (photo booth), and the uncountable people who helped with setup and cleanup.
Megan Ernst Kilpatrick is a member of Puyallup UMC.
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This article was originally featured in Channels 56, September 2012. Download this issue, here
