Salem UMC hosts first VBS in 20 years
In 2023 Palisades Community Bible Church, asked Salem UMC if they could host a bible club for children in the community. Salem UMC gladly opened their doors, and the bible club reached two students.
In 2024, Barbara Davis, a newly retired member of Salem UMC, offered to step up to the plate and lead Vacation Bible School for Salem UMC. The 2023 decision to host Palisades Community Bible Church’s bible club sparked the vision for a renewed VBS program, but United Methodist connectionalism made it happen. Lay Pastor Sue Kiefner, reached out to her home church, Wesley United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, PA, and asked to borrow an old curriculum. Pastor Candy LaBar and children’s ministry director, Deb Silliman, were thrilled to share from their abundance.
On the morning of VBS there were only two children registered for the event, but the joyful leaders of Salem were not daunted. They kicked off the program anyway, and the next evening 7 students were in attendance. By the end of the week 13 children participated, including 4 who had never attended Salem UMC before.
All week long the church was filled with music, dance, crafts, laughter and Bible stories. The joyful atmosphere nurtured the faith of every young disciple who walked through the doors of Salem UMC. It wasn’t only the students who benefited. Shawn Latkis, member in charge of the Imagination Station shared “I’m always busy doing and filling my schedule with things that should be done. This experience taught me to let go a little and see the activities through the eyes of the children.”
Barbara Davis, the program leader, was glad that she stepped up to the challenge of resurrecting Salem UMC’s VBS. She said “we haven’t had VBS in a very long time, but I remember how much my children enjoyed it. I wanted to have something that my grandchildren could experience… I learned a lot and look forward to implementing them into next year’s program.”
Sue Kiefner, pastor of Salem UMC, reflected “Even with an aging congregation, grandchildren and neighbors were able to take part in making memories that will last a lifetime, where Bible stories take on a new form to help our youngest learn about how great Jesus is.”
It’s easy to take our United Methodist connection for granted, but when churches lean into each other’s gifts and share from our abundance, we amplify one another’s ministries and extend our impact.
Collaboration with cluster churches amplifies impact in the Cape Atlantic District
Rev. Tom Novack, now serving Asbury UMC in Egg Harbor Twp, learned that lesson first-hand. In 2022, as the shadows of COVID were beginning to lift, Dorchester UMC wondered how they might get VBS started again. The Holy Spirit struck with fresh inspiration, and they asked themselves a wild and wonderful question “What if we asked the whole cluster to be a part of this?” Dorchester UMC was part of a cluster of churches that gathered for hymn sings throughout the year, but the hymn sings paused during the summer months. Pastor Tom and the members of Dorchester UMC thought that VBS might be the thing to energize their ministry in the summer months. They put out a call for their sister churches to rally around VBS, and the churches answered that call.
Together they a beautiful VBS program that was more vibrant than anything they could have made on their own. They hosted VBS in the local town hall and 60 kids from the community attended. The theme for that year was Jerusalem Marketplace, together members of different churches collected 9 different tents, that were arranged in the hall to make like alleyways and a little marketplace square. It made the experience really immersive and fun for the students who were able to visit the different shops through the course of the week.
Connectionalism paved the way for strong support. One church in the cluster, had only 20 people in worship, but there was someone who was passionate about leading outdoor activities. Another church stepped in to say “Oh, we’ll take care of all the snacks and refreshments.” Another church had a volunteer who really loved telling Bible stories to children.
People from 7 different churches in the cluster stepped up into active leadership, and the other churches participated by donating food and supplies. Pastor Tom Novack reflected “No one church could have done it by themselves. To see that come together was so exciting.”
The collaborative VBS program is now in its third year of ministry. These churches are creating a beautiful opportunity for
children to encounter Jesus, not only in the stories and games, but also through the eyes and hearts of the volunteers who lead the ministry. They’re also raising up a new generation of leaders, as youth and young adult volunteers share their gifts and lead students throughout the week.
Together this cluster of churches is making a difference in the lives of young people in their community. Together they have built something far greater than they could have accomplished on their own. Pastor Tom Novack proclaimed, “We are ‘United’ Methodists. We should be doing things together. When we come together it’s amazing what can be done.”
Indeed, we are United Methodists. We are stronger when we work together. When we share decorations with each other, when we plan and lead together, we have a bigger impact, and frankly, have more fun.
This story is ongoing. These stories are just two among many. If you have a story about collaborative VBS in your community that you’d like to share, please send it along with any photos to sborgstromlee@epaumc.church.