A volunteer built Awana’s four-lane pine derby track.     Photo courtesy of Sequim Bible Church

Whether racing pine cars or memorizing Bible verses, Awana participants at Sequim Bible Church keep their traditions going strong.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, almost 50 children raced cars they built with their parents for the 11th annual Awana Grand Prix.

Dan Edwards, grand prix coordinator, said the races started 11 years ago when a local volunteer built the track.

“It’s an outreach for kids to get involved with their parents,” Edwards said.

“It’s just a fun event for families.”

Richard and Glo Edes, longtime NASCAR racing fans, spoke to the group about what efforts must be made to keep up the vehicles and how racers must give their all to succeed. They compared the racers’ efforts to what must be one’s commitment to God.

Awana overview
Sequim Bible Church Awana co-coordinator Cliff Brehan said Awana is an international, nondenomination group with weekly meetings broken into three parts:
■ Teaching children to memorize biblical scriptures.
■ Singing songs and hearing inspirational Bible messages.
■ Playing games and having fun.
Most years, local Awana children participate in Bible quiz competitions locally and in Silverdale. The Awana Games also occur annually.
Sequim Bible Church’s Awana has three age groups:
■ Cubbies, 3 years-pre-K, meet 6:30 p.m.-8:10 p.m. Wednesdays at Sequim Bible Church. Call Becky Berneking at 683-1566 for more information.
■ Sparks, kindergarten-second grade, meets 6:40 p.m.-8:15 p.m. Wednesdays in Helen Haller’s multipurpose room. Call Tim and Mardel Mearig at 582-0568.
■ Truth and Training, third-sixth grades, meets 6:45-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Sequim Middle School gym. Contact Sidne Cameron at 683-5483.
Sequim Bible Church Awana directors Cliff and Sandy Brehan can be reached at 683-8790.