God Loves Us...It's True!
This was the message heard by more than 200 children attending Plainfield United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School in early July.
Thanks to the work of over 80 adult volunteers, the beautiful old stone church in downtown Plainfield was transformed into ancient Athens. Children ages Preschool through Jr. High were able to go on a virtual adventure to Greece and experience Paul's journey to spread the message about Jesus.
In addition to visiting Paul each night, children danced to Greek rhythms, sang celebratory worship music, and learned sign language motions in the sanctuary. Then, at an authentic marketplace, they sampled a "taste of Athens" at the food shop, sharpened their math skills at the Greek Geometry school, learned about the legal system at the law court, and tested their musical talents with their handmade harps. The adventures continued with some Olympic training events in the home of the very first games and concluded with some family "Oikos" time, prayer, and faith sharing.
While VBS is a highlight for Plainfield UMC every year, this year was especially a blessing with the growth of a new and inclusive ministry. Led by PUMC Child Advocate and seminarian, Kathy Wellman, the church intentionally opened its doors to children and families with special needs. In the weeks leading up to VBS, families met with Wellman to determine how to best meet the needs of their children. Each child was then matched with a trained one-on-one "Buddy" for the VBS adventure.
While the children seemed to enjoy the week, the staff members - and in particular the volunteer buddies - were also enriched by the experience. Adult volunteer Lauri Malnati shared her experience on Facebook:
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"Awesome week at VBS with my buddy! What a joy she was to be with all week. She actually brought tears of joy to my eyes!! What a blessing!"
What a blessing indeed for our growing faith community.
You can find more photos and videos from Vacation Bible School at Plainfield United Methodist Church's Facebook Page and read more parent reflections on our Moms Encouraging Moms blog.
For more information on Plainfield UMC and their special needs ministry, please contact the church via e-mail at pumc@plainfieldumc.com or by phone at (815) 436-9651. You can also visit Plainfield UMC online at our website or on Facebook.
