Lenten Devotional: March 31, 2026

by Lora Ulrich, Director of Children's Ministries

St. Pete First has a long history of traditions: blessing of the babies, Wednesday night dinners, children’s and adult choirs, a long-running preschool, Boy Scouts and Brownies, Vacation Bible School, summer camps, weekly meals at St. Vincent de Paul, trunk or treat, and the spring picnic—just to name a few. Some are still going strong, while others have changed with the times or faded away. All help to make up what St. Pete First is today. When I moved here 36 years ago, this church became my new family. It has seen me through the best and the worst times in life: weddings, baby baptisms, and funerals for dearest loved ones. Through everything, this church family has poured out love and support.

St. Pete First has seen many things change in the past 36 years, so I can just imagine what it was like 100 years ago! The one thing that hasn’t changed is the family feeling and close-knit community of St. Pete First. That develops organically by being involved, serving, and showing up. Our church does that. I held many volunteer roles before I joined the staff. It all started when my kids were in preschool here, and I helped out with VBS. I’m getting ready to start my 18th year on staff, and I can honestly say I love it more now than ever. You know what they say: find a job that you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, except for maybe Christmas Eve and Holy Week.

This past weekend, we had our annual spring picnic. The first one I attended was long before I was on staff, when my son was barely 2; he’s almost 25 now. It’s really grown since those days in the park, and it’s such a wonderful thing to see the smiling, happy faces of kids in our community that I’ve never met. I love it almost as much as seeing faces each week that were my “new family” 36 years ago.

Here’s to the next 100 years of St. Pete First! I’m sure there will be many changes between now and that celebration. But God never changes! If you’re new, or you just haven’t found your spot yet, plug in, get involved, and find your family. VBS is in eleven weeks… just sayin’.