Easter Tree Tradition Continues at the First UU Church

The children pictured helped to continue the tradition of creating the Easter tree in the sanctuary at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, Twolick Drive. The church began its annual Easter tree tradition on Easter Sunday in 1994. That particular Sunday was also the first Sunday the congregation held its church service in the newly built church. A huge branch filled with blossoms had snapped off during a storm and was brought into the sanctuary. Those children present delighted in the activity of decorating in celebration of a new beginning.

The congregation was in awe of this colorful Easter tree. The children who decorated that first Easter tree 18 years ago are now adults who still fondly remember their role in helping to create a beautiful sanctuary on the very first Sunday in our new church home.

Over the years, the Easter tree decorating tradition continues. About a week ahead of Easter, church members bring branches inside from trees at the church that have now grown to maturity and need pruning. The branches are secured in a large bucket of water with bricks, so that the buds will begin to open by Easter. Church members also bring in egg-type decorations from their travels to represent the connection to all areas of the world at the church in Indiana, PA. Even very young children love seeing the tree in the sanctuary each Easter, and enjoy placing their hand-made ornaments on it and those made by Sunday school children over the years. The Easter tree stays up for at least a week so it is present the next Sunday when the tree buds are more fully in bloom. As Easter approaches each year, many First UU children ask if they will be decorating another Easter tree, and they are always delighted to know this tradition will continue.