Our VBS
story:
"Our
children are our best evangelists. They are not
afraid to talk
about God and Church to their
friends."
The following
are excerpts from a letter to our synod office. We
think it provides some great insights into an
effective Vacation Bible School program and
philosophy. -
Resource Center
Staff
1) Our Congregation has a little over 200 hundred
confirmed members. However, our average Sunday
morning attendance is more like fifty to sixty
people, with that number even being less in the
Summer.
2) Our VBS is done ecumenically with St. Anthony's
Catholic Church in Tony. Tony is located five miles
from Glen Flora, and is in the same School
District. Last year we had one hundred and
thirty-two children at VBS. About one-third of them
come from our Congregation; one- third from St.
Anthony's; and one-third from the Community.
3) Our staff usually runs between fifty to sixty
people, which includes about twelve junior/senior
high students that help out in a variety of ways.
One thing that is unique about our staff is it
includes a number of certified school teachers.
This year we have nine classes (Age Three through
Grade Six). Of those nine classroom teachers, five
are teachers in our local school district and two
are classroom aides at school. I rarely have to ask
people to help with VBS, they ask me what they can
do to be involved. We also have several men that
assist with our canoe and camping trip.
4) Last year we did a number of things during VBS.
My philosophy is you need to continually
incorporate new things into the week's activities
to keep the children interested and excited about
coming to VBS. On Tuesday afternoon and evening,
the kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6 go on a canoe trip
down the Flambeau River and camp over night at
Josie Creek Park. Last year as part of the evening
activities at Josie Creek, we had a former Boy
Scout Leader work with the kids to build a rope
bridge over a creek. The kids cut the rope into the
lengths it needed to be; tied the knots; and put
the bridge up. Almost all of the kids crossed the
creek using the rope bridge. It was a great project
to promote team building and working together. The
younger children, Grades K, 1, 2, and 3, made a
gift for Nursing Home residents and delivered it to
the area Nursing Home. When they were there they
also sang for the residents.
5) This year we have a number of the same
activities planned, but we are incorporating new
things within those activities. However, a new
project for children in Grades 5 & 6 will be to
make wooden crosses to be given away at Friday
night's program. One of the parents has a wood
scrolling business and has offered to bring in her
equipment and work with the kids on this project. A
local lumber yard is donating the wood. The kids
will be divided into teams of five or six and work
under the supervision of an adult to design and cut
out a cross. I will include a pattern with the
photos I send you. Another addition I am excited
about is the story for Friday. Actually, it's
Thursday's story but we are moving it to Friday. It
is after the resurrection when Jesus and his
disciples are having Breakfast after they had
fished all night and didn't catch any fish and
Jesus had them put the nets down on the other side
of the boat. I have twelve men that are coming,
dressed as Jesus disciples, and will reinact the
story of having Breakfast with Jesus and his
disciples.
6) The daily newsletter is a great communication
tool. I do it either the night before or early in
the morning. It is given to the children the last
thing before they leave each day to ensure it gets
home. Parents are told in one of the promotional
flyers about the daily newsletter and are
encouraged to ask for it each day. The newsletter
shares what the story for the day was and gives
them some suggestions for activities they can do at
home to carry on the theme of the story. It also
gives the schedule for the next day. We also try to
highlight two classes each day with the names of
staff and something unique about each class.
7) VBS has definitely touched our community. I have
a great opportunity to connect with a number of
kids at school, and already in the Fall kids are
asking about VBS for the next year. We also have a
tremendous amount of support from the local
businesses. I mentioned earlier about the lumber
yard donating the lumber for the crosses; all of
our children's t-shirts are donated by Artisans;
and local gas stations also donate various food
items that are needed during the week.
I believe we have increased membership from VBS.
But I also think our Wednesday Club Program, which
is our weekly Christian Education Program, has
played a big part in our Church. Our children
are our best evangelists. They are not afraid to
talk about God and Church to their friends. If
only adults were as brave.
I could talk forever about VBS, but before I close
there are a couple of other things I would like to
share with you. Each morning we begin VBS with a
time for Staff Devotions. It is ten minutes before
the start of VBS. I believe it is important for our
staff to have time to sit and listen and be fed by
God's Word before they begin each day. The day is
consumed with children and if we are going to be
able to nurture them, we also need to be nurtured.
Staff devotions are led by the Clergy of both
churches. This has been well received by the staff.
Almost all of them attend.
Another thing we have done at VBS is to serve lunch
everyday. We have a full-day schedule, and it was a
real hassle having kids bring sack lunches. Last
year we began serving lunch. Again, our School
District's Food Service Director is a member of our
Congregation and this definitely helps to make this
go smoother. We had many positive comments from
parents about this last year and we are going to do
it again this year.
I do a scrapbook every year of VBS.
I also did a PowerPoint™ presentation
(click
here) this year
(2001) as well.
(We have the photos
here and will scan them and add them shortly. -
Resource
Center Staff)
We invite you to come and witness our exciting
program. The only day of VBS we won't be at Church
is Thursday when we will be at Luther Park Bible
Camp. There are also some evening activities if
that works into people's schedules better. On
Tuesday evening we do a campfire at Josie Creek.
The last couple years we have had a lot of parents
come for this and it has gone extremely well. Also,
our closing program is on Friday evening at 8:00
PM. If you want to see how many people our little
Church can hold, this is the time to come. It is
awesome to see. We have a tradition that we always
close with and needs to be seen to really
appreciate. All the children, all one-hundred plus
of them, bring a flashlight. At the close of the
program we turn off all of the lights and sing
'This Little Light Of Mine' with the kids using
their flashlights as their lights. It is great.
Hope this is helpful.
Martha Johnson - VBS Director
Below you will find samples of the daily VBS
Newsletters. They will help you gain a better idea
of how the week is set up.
Pre-VBS
Dear Parents:
The start of VBS 2000 is
only a few days away. I am looking forward to
spending the week with your children.
Each day your child will
bring home a Daily Newsletter. The Newsletter will
contain family activities that relate to the Bible
Story told that day, and the schedule of activities
for the next day.
Attached to this
Newsletter is a Permission Slip for the week's
activities. Please complete this and send it with
your oldest child on Monday. There is a place on
the Permission Slip to indicate a T-Shirt size.
Each child will receive a T-Shirt which we would
like them to wear for the program on Friday
evening.
We will be taking an
offering each day at Vacation Bible School. This
year the project we will be supporting is Heifer
Project International. You will be hearing more
about this project as the week
progresses.
There are two Worship
times at VBS each day. One from 9:00-9:15;
the other from 11:30-11:15. If your
schedule allows, please feel free to join
us.
There is no charge for
children to attend VBS, however we will be
receiving an offering at the Closing Program on
Friday evening to help cover the expenses of the
week.
I would also ask that you
remember our VBS Staff in your prayers as we
continue to get ready for this awesome week, and
also during VBS next week. We are fortunate to have
such a dedicated staff.
Again, thank you for this
opportunity to share this ministry with your
children.
Preparing for God's Great
Get Together,
Martha Johnson
VBS Director
MONDAY'S
SCHEDULE
9:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Morning Activities
For All Children
11:45 AM
Pre-School Age Children
Should Be Picked Up
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Provided For K-6
(BBQ's, Chips, Beverage, Dessert)
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Workshops
2:00 PM
Children Should Be Picked Up
CLOSING PROGRAM
Friday Evening
8:00 PM
Monday
Newsletter
Dear Parents:
Thank you for a Great Day
of Vacation Bible School! We had a wonderful day,
enjoyed the afternoon workshops, and met new
friends.
Each day this Newsletter
will share with you the names of the many people
who help to make this week possible.
(Here a list of all the
classroom teachers was included.)
Thank you to these
dedicated individuals for preparing a new lesson
each day, and helping the children to understand
how the Bible Story can apply to their daily
life.
Also each day in this
Newsletter you will find information about the
Bible Story your children heard during VBS today.
You may want to consider using this story for
family devotions at Supper or before
Bedtime.
Monday's Story -- Genesis 6.9 - 9.17
Today's story was about the Flood and Noah's Ark.
Following are some discussion questions about the
story.
How does the dove fit in the story of Noah and the
Ark?
How do you think Noah felt when the dove
returned?
Noah was probably very
glad to see the branch in the dove's beak. That
meant the waters were going down. It also meant
that God was taking care of Noah and his family and
all the creatures on the ark. God had not forgotten
them during the long days on the water. God loved
them very much and brought them safely to dry land.
God loves us that much too! We're welcome in God's
family!
TUESDAY'S
SCHEDULE
9:00 - 11:45 Regular Activities
Kindergarten - Grade Three
11:45 AM Leave for Memorial Park
12:00 - 1:10 PM Eat Lunch & Play
1: 15 PM Visit Ladysmith Nursing Home
1:55 PM Drop Off @ St. Anthony's
2:00 PM Drop Off @ Glen Flora
Grades Four. Five & Six
11:45 AM Eat Lunch @ Church
12:15 PM Leave for Canoe Trip
12:45 PM Arrive @ Beaver Dam
1:00 - 4:00 PM Canoe Flambeau River
4:00 - 5:00 PM Set Up Camp
5:00 PM Supper
6:00 - 8:00 PM Organized Activities
8:00 PM Camp Fire
10:00 PM Lights Out!
Parents are welcome to
attend the Camp Fire!
Children going on the
Canoe & Camping Trip received a list of the
items they should bring.
Tuesday's
Newsletter
Dear Parents:
Our first day of Vacation
Bible School brought one-hundred and thirty-three
children. The most we have ever had. It is
absolutely wonderful!
The extended afternoon
activities for children in Grades K-6 included
various workshops. Those workshops included:
Prayer, Trust, Watching an Artist Paint Pictures, a
Community Service Project, Social In-Justices, and
learning about Non-Violent Approaches. Thank you to
all of the workshop leaders for their help with the
afternoon activities.
Today we will continue to
share with you the names of persons helping at
Vacation Bible School.
(More of the faculty are
introduced here.)
These individuals work
very hard to keep things running smoothly at
Vacation Bible School. Without their help, the week
wouldn't be possible.
Tuesday's Story -- Luke 2:1-7
Tuesday's story is the
Christmas Story: the Birth of Jesus.
In this story we learn
that Jesus was born into a family, just as each
of us
was. When he grew
up, Jesus taught people how to live as part
of God's family. We are part of God's family
too, and we have many people in that family who
teach us about
loving God and loving each other.
Possible discussion questions.
Who is in your family?
What is special about each one of them?
Talk about how all these people are part of your
Church family -- the family of God.
WEDNESDAY'S
SCHEDULE
9:00 - 11:45 AM Regular Activities
11:45 AM Lunch for All Children
Provided
12:30 - 2:00 PM Water Carnival
All Children (Including Pre-School)
2:00 PM Pick Up Children @
the Glen Flora Ball Park
(2 Blocks North of the Church)
Children will be playing
games on Wednesday afternoon that involve water.
Please have your child wear clothing that can get
wet.
Lost & Found
We are beginning to
collect a few jackets and sweatshirts at Church.
Please check with your child to see if they are
bringing home everything they bring to Church.
Thank You.
Reminder:
Closing
Program
Friday
Evening - 8:00
PM
Wednesday's
Newsletter
Dear Parents:
As hard as it is to
believe, the week is already half over. We have
been having a wonderful time at VBS learning about
God's Promises For
us.
The trip the Kindergarten,
Grades 1, 2, and 3 children took to the Park and
Nursing Home went very well. They enjoyed the free
time at the Park, and the residents of the
Ladysmith Nursing Home enjoyed seeing the children
and receiving the treat the children had made for
them.
The Canoe & Camping
Trip went well. Paddling into the wind, along with
the long stretches of still water, made for some
tired kids when they got to Josie Creek, but they
were really some great troopers. They worked
together so everyone canoed the entire
time.
After a supper cooked over
the open fire, We organized a rope bridge building
event. Using rope, the kids cut and tied together a
bridge, and then used the bridge to cross the
water. It was a great event.
The evening at Josie Creek
concluded with a Camp Fire with our Pastor leading
some skits, and others providing music.
This is a great event for
our kids and wouldn't be possible without the
helping hands of many people.
Wednesday's Story --
Luke 15:4-7
The Parable of the Lost Sheep.
Some questions for
discussion:
Have you ever
been lost?
How did you feel?
In today's story, our
friend the sheep was lost. But someone came to its
rescue. The sheep was very important to the
shepherd. He even left the other sheep to go find
the one who was lost. Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
He will come looking for us if we get lost or stray
from God. God will welcome us back with joy! It's
great to know that we're important to God!
An activity you may want
to consider is showing others that they are
important to you by sharing some time with them
this week. Visit a homebound friend, play board
games, talk with them. Let them know that you care
about them and that God does too!
THURSDAY'S
SCHEDULE
9:00 AM Leave for Luther Park
Lunch Is Provided
4:00 PM Return from Luther Park
Pre-School Age Children
should bring a life jacket for the boat ride if
they have one. If not, one will be
provided.
Grades K-6 should bring
their swimsuit and a towel. There will be time to
swim in the pool.
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