by David Fawcett

Scott Bailey could not contain himself. He danced up and down the main aisle of the sanctuary, held his hands in the air and pointed toward his fellow pastor.

After always being on the receiving end of a pie in the face following the end of Vacation Bible School at All Saints’ in Woodbridge, he now knew with certainty that he had the pleasure of doing it to someone else.

For the first time in Bailey’s seven years as All Saints’ rector, the boys defeated the girls in the annual contest that asked participants to bring in school supplies for elementary schools in Prince William County.

The victory required an amazing comeback when the boys brought in several backpacks to pass the girls on the final day of VBS and finish with 5,465 points. The girls, who led the boys by 760 points going into the last day, finished with 3,955 points.

With the official totals in, Bailey now, as part of the contest, had the opportunity to place a pie in the face of Maryanna Stumbaugh, All Saints’ associate rector.

In reference to usually coming up on the losing end, Bailey told the congregation at All Saints’ VBS Celebration Aug. 3: “I have taken that with great grace.”

Just a few minutes before the closing as Friday’s point totals were announced, Stumbaugh had a sense she might be in trouble to the point that she asked All Saints’ children ministries director Tara Pedersen, “Oh no, did the boys win?"

Pedersen told her, " It's a surprise, and you are about to find out."

It was then that Stumbaugh proceeded to put her hair up in a bun with a look of disbelief and regret on her face.

Following a drumroll, Bailey proceeded to gently smash the pie in Stumbaugh’s face as both stood in front of the sanctuary. But then to the surprise of both, two additional cream pies awaited them as VBS volunteer Heather Rogers placed one pie on both their heads.

While Stumbaugh took everything in stride, her three children had a different reaction. Her youngest, 6-year-old Gwenyth, expressed her immediate displeasure over the possibility of her mother getting a pie in the face. Out of concern for her mother, Gwenyth told Stumbaugh she did not like this church.

Her other two children, Eleanor and Harrison, were equally upset. Stumbaugh did her best to tell her three children it was all being done in fun, but they it was all for naught. They remained unconvinced.

To avoid a repeat performance in 2027, Stumbaugh already has a plan.

“I look forward to next year and investing in school supplies that I might bring myself,” Stumbaugh said.

This year’s VBS supplies from All Saints’ are going to Neabsco Elementary and Featherstone Elementary, both of which are Title I schools.

All Saints’ has been collecting supplies at VBS for local schools since 2022.

Michele Halbeisen did most of the counting and gathering of supplies with the help of fellow All Saints’ parishioner Eda Dayes.

Longtime parishioner at All Saints’ Church in Woodbridge, VA, David Fawcett is Sports Editor for InsideNoVa.