Mark's children have worked on a pair of 6-by-9-foot murals since last fall that will be on display in front of the church, 134 N. Division Ave., for the next two months. They will be blessed on Palm Sunday.

The murals are tied to the Heifer Project International, an organization that donates livestock to needy communities across the world. St. Mark's plans to collect donations for the Heifer Project throughout the summer, said Renee Peggs-Monnier, the church's director of Christian formation.

Mural scenes depict warm family moments promoting agricultural awareness and goodwill: a cuddled lamb, a father and daughter hoeing the soil.

"We're doing it to help the people in need," said 9-year-old Megan Anderson.

The artworks will be mounted at the church at Pearl Street NW and N. Division Avenue today and will be visible for the Festival of Arts in June.

"They're just really excited that it's going to be outside for two months and people are going to say, 'St. Mark's kids did that!'" Peggs-Monnier said.

"It's been pretty cool working with the kids," said Ellens, 22, who planned to coat the canvasses with a latex film to protect them from the elements.

The children's work is the culmination of a broader educational unit raising awareness about those who are less of those not as fortunate, Peggs-Monnier said. Students read "Beatrice's Goat," she said, a tale based on a true story of an African girl who wanted to attend school but whose family was too poor to send her. In the story, her family receives a donated goat, and they are able to sell its milk and, thus, fulfill Beatrice's dream.

"Not everyone owns a Wii or can play in a league or go to a really exceptional school," Peggs-Monnier said.

"I want them to know we're called as members of Christ's body to be servants and help people."

I am so proud to see my five year old painting above as well as my husband, Mike, assisting the kids! St. Mark's is truly an amazing place that we love to call home!