Church’s annual VBS is set for Aug. 5-8
By Linnea Langusch
Summer Intern
An eight-foot tall toolbox towers in the lobby overseeing the setup of an annual event in Waterford that attracts nearly 250 kids each night it is running.
The annual Vacation Bible School at Community United Methodist Church, 455 S. Jefferson St., is an exciting time for children ages preschool through sixth grade. The four-night event is Aug. 5-8 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but preparation begins months in advance.
The sound of drills running as people assemble a stage mingles with children’s laughter as they paint pieces of cut out construction foam.
While VBS is happening at the church, people driving past the building see inflatable obstacle courses, water slides, and giant buckets of candy in the parking lot. Neighbors can hear the screech of electric guitars and drums as the praise band rocks out during practice.
Every year the community bands together and helps support the adventure facilitated by the church.
“It’s completely a team event,” says Shari Langusch, Christian education director. “We have writers, actors, teachers, painters and engineering geniuses!”
Fundraisers, planning meetings and a very intense week of set up bring together people of all ages to aid in the preparation of the event. Volunteers hard at work never cease to smile as they are presented with new and sometimes unusual tasks.
“It is my job to get made fun of because it makes the children happy,” laughs the Rev. Markus Wegenast.
He can often be seen during the event sporting a funny costume or floundering in the dunk tank.
For 14 years, VBS has continued to grow with the help of team leader Langusch. No one at the church can remember when VBS actually started, but the consensus is that the program has run for more than half a century now.
With a dedicated team of volunteers, Langusch is able to transform the church into a new building with over-the-top decorations relating to the theme all for the purpose of serving Jesus.
“It’s really just a neighborly invitation to the families in our communities to come over for some faith-building fun and friendship,” says Langusch. “We believe we can show our love for God by encouraging other people and sharing Jesus.”
This year a construction theme takes over the church as tools and blueprints begin to line the walls and ceilings of the building. Volunteers put on their hard hats as they set to work on diverse jobs such as hanging a giant mural over a wall, setting up intricate displays on stage, dangling streamers from the 22-foot tall ceiling, rehearsing music and dramas, and creating a curriculum.
All of these efforts do not go unnoticed. On average more than 250 children and 100 adult volunteers attend the event.
“It is a great way to live up to our name as Community United Methodist Church,” says Wegenast.
The children as well as the adults leading them enjoy four fun-filled nights as the church shares the Good News of Jesus Christ through silly dramas, loud music, and lots of games.
One of the parts of VBS that the kids participate in is the mission project. Where they enthusiastically pool their money to aid others in need. In light of this year’s construction theme this year’s mission project is to purchase windows and flooring for an orphanage in Burma.
“Thirty-one children and their caregivers will be grateful to see their new home completed. It’s super neat to see the kids connect with other children across the world and reach out to help them,” says Langusch.
So, look for the seven-foot hammer with 8-inch googly eyes in August and remember: big things are happening in the Village of Waterford.
-
-
-
-
-