Vacation Bible School teaches community service
Published 11:35 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014
One Vacation Bible School this summer has two distinctions: unity and servitude.
Three local churches, Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, are bringing the VBS program "God’s Big Backyard" to Sequim.
The program running June 22-25 will change the usual VBS approach. Children will perform community service, learning from volunteers and public servants.
"It’s an effort to bring kids into the community and to let them know God’s word," said Karin Anderson, co-coordinator of the event.
"We wanted to try the angle of getting them out there and helping others."
The children will meet with different servicemen and women throughout the week involved in sign language, recycling, the medical field and more.
"We wanted kids to have as much diversity as possible," said Laura Lanka, co-coordinator.
On Wednesday, June 24, the children will meet at Trinity United Methodist Church before working in Carrie Blake Park.
They will paint and clean structures at the park throughout the day.
The three churches have worked on VBS together more than 10 years.
Co-coordinator Jan Croonquist said the churches’ outlook on Scripture is the same for the program.
"We are not here to indoctrinate kids. We want them to be good thinkers and question things," Lanka said.
"The notion is to let people care for one another."
The program is based on biblical Scripture from John 3:18-19 and also will relate to creation and care of the Earth, the Good Samaritan, and Moses and Miriam.
"God’s Big Backyard" will accept children 4 and older.
Anderson said there isn’t a cut-off age because anyone can help the community.
Registration is $5 with lunch and a T-shirt provided. Forms and money and can be dropped off at one of the three churches, Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave., 681-0946; St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave., 683-4862; or Trinity United Methodist, 100 S. Blake Ave, 683-5367.
The school will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dungeness Valley Lutheran on June 22, 23 and 25. On June 24, it will be at Trinity United Methodist.
Matthew Nash can be reached at mnash@sequim gazette.com.
