On July 19-21, 30 children and twenty-three adults traveled to Camp Kavanaugh for our annual Vacation Bible School Camp. On this seventeenth year of VBS taking place in a retreat format for three days and two nights, we were reminded to “Give Glory to God, who is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine by God’s power at work within us.” ~ Ephesians 3:20
Together, we were reminded that God invites us to Go Beyond with faithfulness, boldness, kindness, thankfulness and hope as we move through the world. Stories from scripture helped us connect with these themes as we encountered Daniel’s faithfulness to God in the den of lions, Queen Esther’s boldness for her people, the Samaritan who assists a fellow traveler with kindness, the healing of 10 lepers by Jesus and the one who returns to say thank you, and the comfort Jesus offers to his friends as they travel to Emmaus.
Our children also engaged in mission, as they learned about literacy, the need for books in our community and the lack of them in various places. They read stories that challenged them to have empathy, to find ways to help those who are invisible be more visible and they created collection boxes so that we as a congregation can collect new books that might given to an organization in our city to help provide books for children who do not have access to them. We hope you’ll join us in this effort!
And of course, we played games, traveled to the pool, and built community through our experiences together. It was a wonderful weekend and we are so thankful to those who made donations of time and supplies to our camp experience!
Preparations
Food and Supply Donations: Linda Campbell, Dave Cassidy, Tanya Cornely, Tara Davis, Carol and Drew Harston, Carol Hawkins, Rosalind Heinz, Nancy Jurgevich, Julia Lazaro, Lula Reynolds, Michele Smith, Missy Smith, Joanne Taheri, Kim Waller, Fran White
Supply Transportation via Mini-Bus: Buddy Lee
Food Shopping: Amber Burke
Decorations: Allison Keenan, Walter McWhorter
Office Preparations: Lauren Blackwell, Linda Campbell, Andria Eadens
At Camp
Loading and Setup at Camp: Linda Campbell, Bruce Carroll, Vi Chatmon, Kelly Garrett, Buddy Lee, Robin Ramsay Lee
Chaperones: Lauren Blackwell, Molly Braun, Anna Marie Brummett, Michelle and Brandon Butler, Mary Cooksey, Tanya Cornely, Tara Davis, Laura Escobar-Ratliff , Jackie Marrs, Kathryn Martin, Jennifer Pardon, Autumn Reece, Alison Schureck, Andrea Sinclair, Missy and Vance Smith, Robin Stanton, Zach Watson, Katie Williams
Youth Shepherds: Hannah, Sophia
Photography: Bill Campbell
Unloading after Camp: Bill and Linda Campbell, Buddy and Robin Ramsay Lee, Kathryn Martin, Blake, Kaden.
