Church sweetens its Easter message

April 15, 2001

Church sweetens its Easter message

By DAN KULIN

A little religion and bags of Easter candy were doled out Saturday to children at Frederick Manor and Noland Village in Hagerstown.

"We do it to see the smiles on their faces and to teach them what Easter's about," said Teresa Wiles, whose husband, Bill Wiles, is pastor at City Quake Ministries in Hagerstown.

The Wileses and several other church members gave away 200 Easter bags full of candy Saturday.

Although their visit was a surprise to many residents, it took only minutes for dozens of children to flock to the Wileses' red truck once it pulled to the side of the street in Noland Village.

Before passing out candy, Bill Wiles gave the children, who sat on the grass by the sidewalk, a little lesson in Christianity.

He explained that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and Easter celebrates Christ's resurrection.

"It was cool. I was surprised they even came," said 10-year-old Christopher Dennis.

"My favorite part was when they explained that it was more than just about Easter baskets," Dennis said.

"Easter isn't just because of the Easter bunny," said Dennis' mother, Jennifer Van Valkenberg.

"We're bringing church to them," said Bill Wiles.

"We try to make sure everyone has a nice Easter," he said. "This puts a smile on the kid's face."

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