Pennsylvania Churches raise $2,500
during Bible School Week
Five churches from Somerset, PA participated in a weeklong Vacation Bible School held at the St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Somerset, PA. Approximately 130 children from the age of 3 through grade 6, met 5 mornings a week from 9am -12 noon, from July11-15th for Vacation Bible School. During this time, they were grouped according to age. Following a morning "Rain Forest" Christian skit, the children "traveled" from one motivating "Rain Forest" theme center to another.
The Centers included: (preschool or school age) super crafts; motivating and entertaining Bible School parable related music; active recreation (including a water fun day); generous snack; story telling (Bible lesson for the day pertaining to parables of Jesus); and missions where they learned about the outreach project for the week.
Prior to Bible School, representatives from the five churches chose the Mission Project. Each year it alternates between international and local needs. Once Haiti relief was chosen as this year’s mission project, some parishioners provided information concerning Maison Fortune. Marge Montgomery, her son Jimmy Buterbaugh, and husband Jim Buterbaugh have volunteered at Maison Fortune in the past so the orphanage was chosen to be the recipient of this year’s mission donations.
The Buterbaughs assisted by supplying: pictures; "crafts/handmade items" to decorate the room; and an introductory slide show of their work at the orphanage. Jimmy was able to come to Bible School several days and taught the children a Haitian song, a greeting and a game. His personal experience was very important in motivating and informing the children about the orphanage.
In addition, the Internet was used to educate the groups about the country, earthquake, and culture of Haiti. The Vacation Bible School children resolved to provide a real bed for all of the children at the orphanage. In order to "inspire" them, mission program staff tried to have daily fun activities that related to "beds". These activities included: a "make a bed" relay race; a "get ready for bed" relay race involving getting into pajamas (large ones over their clothes); kneeling for prayers; grabbing a stuffed animal and jumping into bed; bed related children's songs; and even a "bed race" (or ride), employing 2 gurneys from an ambulance!
Children and adults from the churches contributed to the cause daily and a pictorial chart showed each age group's progress towards the goal of $1500 to be used to purchase bunk-beds for Maison Fortune. Staff, parents, and children were deeply touched by the stories, pictures and needs of the children of Haiti. They were inspired to be more thankful for the many blessings they have and to help those without.
Everyone was pleased with the generosity of the kids, church groups and individuals. In the end, the goal was exceeded by more than $1,000 as $2,507.50 was collected. Said Linda Breen, “The children of Haiti and Maison Fortune have touched all of us and remain in our prayers. God Bless You”.
The churches involved were:
St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church (Missions - Kathy Ogline and Linda Breen are members) Deacon Lenny Anderson (to be ordained Sept. 25th) 2081 Husband Road, Somerset, PA; web site: http://www.stfrancisofsomerset.org
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 132 E. Union St. Somerset, PA - Pastor Keith Fink was the chairperson of the entire Bible School this year. (Chairperson is on a rotating basis every 2 years); web site: http://www.stpaulspresbyterianchurch.org/
Somerset Anglican Fellowship - Pastor Mark Zimmerman, Georgian Mall Somerset, PA;
Church of the Brethren - 606 Berlin Plank Road Somerset, PA. Contact persons-Kim Huet and Eric Bittner; web site: http://www.manta.com/c/mmyv1jz/church-of-the-brethren and
United Church of Christ-Union Street, Somerset, PA - Pastor Matt Deal. Matt hosts this event every year at his Church. Web site: http://www.churchangel.com/denominations/PA-United-Church-of-Christ/Somerset.htm