Beyond the Pulpit 8.3.25
Without a doubt this week’s ministry beyond the pulpit was 120% VBS! I had a blast as Winnie the Seahorse, welcoming friends to VBS each morning and learning about sea creatures and how they remind us about all the qualities of Friendship with God. From Tad the frog fish, to Fisher the seal, and Finley the dolphin, to Waylon the whale, and finally Octoavia the Octopus! Each day they taught us something new about diving into friendship with God.
With approximately 100 student participants, we were blessed to have about 50 volunteers, and the best part was that more than 20 of those volunteers were youth and young adults. Thank you all for giving a week out of your summer to make this week so special!
This year there were 7 VBS Stations, including Sticky Scriptures, Music (where I got to hangout all week with Ms. Catherine!), Crafts, Recreation, Outdoor Art, Science, and last but definitely not least the Bible Story Station with Ms. Libby. We are so very thankful for and celebrate, all the years – and all the effort! – Libby – and Charlie! – have put into this station. She has given her heart and soul and is now ready to pass the baton. So let us know if this is a place you’d like to serve next year at VBS! Also of note this year, we had our 1st-ever Youth-Led Science Station with Jack and Sam on two of the five days of the week! Kudos to them, and to their behind the scenes planning team!
We hope to have a handful of VBS participants and their families in worship this morning to help us as we share the highlights of VBS! We reminded the VBS participants and their families that we have this much fun every Sunday at CUMC, and we invited them to join us anytime!
Additionally, Bart and the CUMC Mission Team, and a variety of youth, will be leading worship at both services today! You don’t want to miss it. Participants from the Mission Team will be sharing about their experience serving in Tyrell County, NC, a few weeks ago. Members of the team will also be available at 10am in the Fellowship Hall for round table conversation and story sharing about their trip. Light breakfast snacks will be available. Come and join us!
Finally, I am deeply grateful for the excellent work and ministry of Bart Isley, our Director of Children & Youth, who began planning last summer for both VBS and the Mission Trip. His unwavering commitment to both faith and fun shines through in all he does. Bart’s ability to lead with vision, delegate with trust, and inspire with energy consistently results in top-tier opportunities for faith formation at CUMC. This week at VBS, we talked about counting our blessings. Serving together with you, Bart, is a true blessing, indeed!
