Taking VBS/VBC to the Community

This Great Idea is inspired by the North Georgia Conference UMCT article, Grace UMC Forsyth Takes VBS Children in Their Community.

Grace UMC’s Backpack Buddies ministry, which they carry out in partnership with the Monroe County school system, supports children by providing food over the weekend to help between school meals. Through Backpack Buddies, Grace UMC members became aware of families living in nearby hotels and campgrounds. They wanted to include these families in VBS and recognized that transportation was a potential barrier – so they decided to bring VBS to them.

This took a concerted effort from congregational members – but what a great way to make VBS more of an intergenerational and community-wide undertaking!

They transformed the hotel’s parking lot into their outdoor gathering space.

They engaged the kids and their parents, enabling church members to develop relationships with the kids’ families.

They concluded each evening with a hot meal, enabling whole families to enjoy a meal together.

Grace UMC’s pastor, Rev. Carol Cook, says, ‘The members of Grace UMC Forsyth have been blessed beyond measure this week… We had a great time building relationships and sharing joy with the community.’

The congregation is now looking ahead to future opportunities to support children and families in the community – and they’re looking for partners to join in those efforts.

Read the full Grace UMC Takes VBS to Children article here.

Where are children and their families gathering in your community? What are their needs? How might intergenerational representatives of your congregation get into the community to meet families – and meet their needs – while building relationships and a sense of belonging?

Maybe these questions can inspire a/the focus for all of your fall programming!