During the summer months, we hold Vacation Bible School for ages preschool through upcoming sixth graders. Last summer we partnered with Mt. Clinton United Methodist Church. Our theme "Barnyard Roundup" gathered the children to read lessons from the Bible, sing fun songs, do crazy crafts, and play awesome games. In additional we focused on two mission opportunities - Heifer International and West Rockingham Food Panty, both helping to drive out hunger around the world as well as locally.
In order to involve the youth, other then in the usual teaching/helper role, we featured a service project where they went out into the community and visited with elderly and shut-in members of both churches and shared homemade cookies they baked during VBS. This was very well received and we intend to expand on this idea.
Another new feature centering around the theme of animals, we held on our last night, a "blessing of our pets" ceremony. Children brought their dogs, cats, birds and hampsters and our pastors bestowed a blessing on each. What a fun time this was for all.
In order to involve the youth, other then in the usual teaching/helper role, we featured a service project where they went out into the community and visited with elderly and shut-in members of both churches and shared homemade cookies they baked during VBS. This was very well received and we intend to expand on this idea.
Another new feature centering around the theme of animals, we held on our last night, a "blessing of our pets" ceremony. Children brought their dogs, cats, birds and hampsters and our pastors bestowed a blessing on each. What a fun time this was for all.