The contrast of this title was most fitting for the Collegiate Vacation Bible School (VBS), as it was hosted by our church this year. Originally, this title was nothing but the title of the curriculum we used, and this made for a very unsuspecting beginning.
But then I had to face the preparation time, and I asked myself whose race this was: three meetings with volunteers from our four collegiate churches, a master calendar for four classes with changing locations every half hour, a contact list with follow-up calls to 18 volunteers from four churches, the organization of a reception desk and a drama group, the design of the daily opening and closing sessions, and arrangements with the New Brunswick Fire Department for medical assistance.
All the while, Susan and Lillian Kramer-Mills studied the new VBS songs, as well as the corresponding hand motions according to modern sign language. Throughout the week of VBS, they led the four music classes each day. Supported by Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale from Highland Park, Susan also led the music sections of the daily opening and closing ceremonies.In addition, I found it necessary to gather information on the country of Ethiopia, its culture and the life of the Christians there, in order to have background for the VBS fund-raising campaign. This campaign was designed to support the Reformed Church of Metuchen in their effort to purchase an electricity-producing windmill that would power water pumps in one of the drier zones of Ethiopia.
All in all, it was a very successful week that was thus prepared. And the amazing thing was to see how many kids and youth from our church and its neighborhood were attending: Ahjani, Ahyanna, Allison, Lillian, Walter, Kathleen, Daphne, Theo, Claire, Grace, Andrew, Alicia, Stephen, Sara and Emmy. The other three churches had similar strong numbers, so you can imagine how lively a week it was.
And here is a list of the volunteers from our church: Joan Fekete helped with the reception desk and the snack crew in the kitchen, Erie Beemsterboer, Lauren Bernhofer and Cindy Betancourt ran four daily crafts classes; Sandy Boyles had each of the four daily games classes. Freshly certified baby-sitter Allison Kramer-Mills was responsible for the Nursery. We are so grateful for the time and energy all our volunteers spent, and the love they showed the children.
Teachers from other churches included Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale from Highland Park taught Appropriating the Bible Story, and Phyllis Beals from Second Reformed Church led and taught a fantastic drama class with daily productions. Liz Estes from Highland Park organized the crafts for the informal morning gatherings. She also made a great picture of our future windmill in Ethiopia. Nikki Lebron from Highland Park helped with the crafts, and Ginnie Previte and Mary Davila from the church on Suydam Street cooperated with Joan in the kitchen. Group shepherds were: Cathy Proctor, Liz Estes, Jacqueline Juricic, Jennifer Lord and Rev. Stephanie Kaper-Dale (all Highland Park), Meehyun Park (Second Reformed Church), and Irma Flores (Suydam Street Reformed Church). What a great crew they were.
We also want to thank our staff: our church secretary, Aurea Vega, who organized all registrations and so much more, and our sexton, Robert Longo, who made everything neat and clean when the daily hurricane was over.
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