FALL FESTIVAL  The Fall Family Festival, held in November 2003, was a great success, despite having been postponed due to Isabel.  Members, guests, and new visitors entered the gymnasium at WCA to find many stations and events.  Children could decorate bags filled with 20 tickets to spend at the various stations, then try their hands at Spin Art, a Dinosaur Dig, a Lollipop Tree, Ball Pitch, Mini-Golf, or a Cake Walk.      The Spin Art, Golf, and Cake Walk were quite popular and a must for fun again next year.   Participants were entertained by a wonderful puppet show presented by Go Fish Ministries, as well as Face Painting by Bubbles the clown.     Pizza and chili were the main courses, accompanied by apples, cookies, drink boxes, and coffee, and of course, the cotton candy and popcorn – not to be left out at this sort of event.     Outside, it was not too chilly for children to enjoy bouncing, sliding, crawling and dodging inside three fun inflatables.  (What’s it like to go through a caterpillar?) Lambeth Petting Zoo returned with several old favorites and a few new creatures to pet and feed.  (Ever petted a chicken?) And teen volunteers helped to man a Hula-Hoop Throw and a Duck Pond where kids could spend their coupons to win prizes.      Old and young spent time at the Hair Painting station, also staffed by teens, getting a temporary dye job!  Little girls came away with pink or blue pony tails, or blazing streaks of color.  Some of the boys changed hair color completely.  (Green was quite an interesting shade.)  Both Pastor David and Gabby Galbreath fell victim to Katie Hill’s sprayer finger, each sporting a colorful new "do".   This station was a big hit and another "must-have" for next year’s event.     We finished up the day with music by Rejoicing gospel group.  Many would have enjoyed listening to this group all day!     Many thanks to the teens and adults who volunteered to man the stations, to Gabby Galbreath for the chili, and to Arcet in Toano for donating the helium tank for the day.  And, the greatest appreciation to Gretchen Tisone, Director of Children’s Ministries, for planning and orchestrating the entire event.      The Children’s Ministries Team has already met to discuss what worked and what didn’t in order to begin planning again for next year.  Some new ideas include an increased neighborhood outreach effort, a change in time (a bit earlier), and finding more recruits for manning the stations.  Ideas, suggestions, or other contributions for next year’s Fall Family Festival,  are very much appreciated and can be directed to Gretchen Tisone at the church office.