BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Kathy Bonsell, director of Christian Education at Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, has retired after 23 years of planning and directing programs for children in the congregation.

She reflected back on her time devoted to young people from nursery through sixth grade at the church.

“Every year I think is the best,” Bonsell said. “I have so many wonderful memories. I’ve had a blast.

“It’s been a great job for me and my family.”

After earning a degree at Kutztown University, Bonsell taught elementary students for 10 years in the Parkland School District.

She was no longer employed and had three young children at home when she volunteered to help with Vacation Bible School at the church in 1997.

Someone at the church recognized how well Bonsell worked with the youth at VBS and recommended she apply for the newly created position, director of Christian education.

Bonsell recalls she was initially uncertain whether she was ready to have a job at that time.

“My children were 7, 4 and 1-1/2,” she explained. “I didn’t know if I could handle it but it was an opportunity to get back into teaching.”

She decided to proceed, and part of the interview process was to teach a children’s message to the hiring committee.

Although Bonsell remembers feeling a bit awkward telling a story to adults, she presented a lesson on David and Goliath and sang a song along with it.

The committee was favorably impressed and offered her the job.

Bonsell looked back on the effect of the work on her family.

“It was a very flexible job,” she said. “I never missed anything in my kids’ school and activities.

“My kids benefited as much as I did. They were involved in things at the church and had friends there.”

Bonsell’s responsibilities as director of Christian education included planning and leading children’s church and Sunday School, serving on the Christian Education Committee and on the board of the preschool, and organizing and administering VBS.

Bonsell said VBS was definitely a highlight for her.

She said planning and ordering began already in the fall for VBS which took place after the school year ended.

“We always had at least 100 kids,” Bonsell said. “The biggest year, we had 180 kids and 70 volunteers.

“It felt good to pull that off. It was a labor of love. I enjoyed the creativity and painting the scenery.”

During VBS week, children would bring in items for the Northern Lehigh Food Bank, the Lehigh County Conference of Churches, Church World Services, and other charitable organizations.

They would also bring in monetary contributions.

“Missions were a really important part of my ministry,” Bonsell said. “We wanted children to take care of others, not just ourselves.

“Each year at VBS we collected $500 to $1,000. We picked a mission that went along with the theme.”

The group sent donations to farmers in Zambia to obtain cows, to Heifer International, to workers in Haiti to get seeds for sustainable farming, and to numerous additional projects locally and abroad.

Children’s contributions also went for school kits, health kits and cleaning kits for people in need around the world.

Bonsell said one of her major goals was to instill kindness and the Golden Rule in children’s attitudes toward others.

“I wanted them to grow up to be good people,” Bonsell said. “We need kindness in how we treat each other and the earth also.”

Bonsell always wanted the children to feel welcome and safe at church, and she endeavored to convey the message that God loves them unconditionally.

She said Union UCC’s programs for young people are doing extremely well.

“Pastor Kris (Snyder-Samuelson) and Pastor Kayli (Freeman) are on top of their game all the time,” Bonsell said. “They are always looking to see what we can do better to meet the needs of our congregation.”

Bonsell, whose cheerful smile can light up the entire church, commented on her time as director of Christian education.

“I’m thankful for everybody I worked with - children, volunteers, staff and the entire church family,” Bonsell said. “I loved what I did. I loved to teach, to work with people, and the creativity.”

Pastor Kris commented on Bonsell’s contributions to Union UCC.

“We are so very, very grateful for how she has loved our kids and families and showed the way to loving God and God’s church. Thank you, Kathy!”