First Presbyterian Church Elkhart hosts Ukrainian Easter egg decorating workshop

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. --The First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart is hosting a free workshop teaching folks how to make Ukrainian Easter eggs, while also raising awareness and money! 

The annual workshop started as not only a way to celebrate the Lenten season and to learn the traditional art form what’s known as pysanky but to support the people of Ukraine after the 2022 Russian invasion.  

Dipped in beeswax, the delicate decorating process is carried out on raw eggs using styluses with metal tips. Afterwards, designs are drawn onto the eggs, and the egg is created by putting it through an excessive amount of color dye.    

“I love working with people. I love the smell of beeswax in the air. I like the sound of the conversations that happen around the tables. I like to see people’s faces when they take off the beeswax and see the beautiful egg they created,” Pastor for First Presbyterian Church Elkhart Pastor Sally Wicks. 

This year’s offering will provide relief assistance for people affected by the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. It’s a free will offering as all the money will get funneled through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Anyone who does want to make an offering can make one to the church.   

Wicks has taught the art of pysanky for years. Although she says it’s too late to register, she said people who are interested can go to their website and be added on the list for next year’s event.   

“It’s wonderful to be doing it again this year. What’s amazing to me is that it’s grown. I think we had 80 people the first year and 100 last year and 120 this year. I’m not sure we can handle much more then that. The offerings have been significant. It's lovely to share this artform with people who don’t know it. I find it personably to be very enjoyable,” Wicks said.  

To sign up for next year’s event click here.