At Grace Mennonite Christian Church in Sapporo, Japan, Easter is a special occasion. Here, as in many places, Easter and Christmas are the two days of the year when visitors and the family of members will attend a local church. But many Japanese know little of the Easter traditions.

Christians adopted the egg as a symbol of rebirth and resurrection long ago. With organization from Teresa and Mike Sherrill, Shiroishi Mennonite Christian Church in Sapporo hosts an annual Easter egg hunt as a way to excite children and adults about Easter while teaching about Jesus’ death and resurrection.

On Easter Sunday eggshells filled with potpourri made of lavender from Furano (Japan) Mennonite Church and flowers from Kyoko Serita will be hung on a tree. Everyone who worships at Grace Mennonite will receive an egg.

Mike and Teresa Sherrill work with the Hokkaido Mennonite Conference through Mennonite Mission Network.