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July 12, 2020By Susan Bailey
Correspondent | The CFP
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, at least four parishes in the Worcester Diocese have prepared summer programs and activities for children. Vacation Bible School is available online from two of the parishes and anyone can participate whether or not they are a member of that parish.
St. George Parish in Worcester ran their online Bible camp July 6-10 but it is still available on the parish website. According to Karen and Aaron Fuller, directors for the last five years, families were notified through the bulletin and an email blast.
“Our theme this year is ‘Jesus is a Peacemaker,’ for two reasons,” said Mrs. Fuller. “We know it has been such a disruptive time lately so we want people to take time and focus on peace. There is also so much upheaval lately, but there is a lot of discussion about social justice and equity, and so that is a part of our camp this year.”
Jesus and peace
Available online is a chart with links laying out the schedule for the week. The program begins with a camp overview and welcome video, followed by a discussion of a saint, then activities. Snacks, songs and prayers are also included.
“We start with a short Bible lesson about Jesus and peace,” said Mrs. Fuller. “Each day features a different saint, or hopefully soon-to-be saint, that models those virtues. They are all from diverse backgrounds.”
Activities include coloring pages and crafts, videos of songs that are related to the theme, recipes for snacks from the culture of that particular saint, and prayer that is often directly related to the saint.
“The kids can choose what order they do anything in and of course they don’t have to do all the activities,” said Mrs. Fuller. “Some things they can do with their families. We’re trying to make it as accessible as possible.”
Those interested in participating should visit the St. George website at: https://saintgeorgesparish.org.
Activities online
Christ the King Church in Worcester made the difficult decision to cancel VBS for this summer, determining that there were too many variables which might compromise the positive effects of the program. But according to Judi Brennan, director of religious education, there will still be materials made available.
“For this year, I’m going to try and send out, through Flocknotes, VBS-type activities (including songs and games) for families for the weeks of July,” she said. “I am hoping more families will join us next year if they have a better idea of what is involved in VBS.”
ZOOM into VBS
In Westborough, Vacation Bible School is run by three churches: St. Luke the Evangelist Parish Catholic Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church. There is a VBS board consisting of Chris O’Keefe and Christina Zogg from St Luke’s, Hillary Parsons from Good Shepherd and Stephanie Shepardson from United Methodist Church.
“We are offering it virtually from August 3rd through the 7th,” said Mrs. Zogg. “Rocky Railway” is the theme and we all felt it was appropriate right now, in that even though we’re off course, we are able to get back on course.”
She provided an example. “One of the activities is ‘Nothing is powered on its own’ — you need prayer, you need Jesus in order to power yourself through life,” said Mrs. Zogg.
Through the use of Zoom, the program will be interactive including breakout rooms where participants can communicate with each other. Packets will be provided to parents which they can pick up from their churches. They will include age-appropriate materials and activities so that families can do the program together.
“The program will be composed of morning opening, songs, and a theme for the day,” said Mrs. Zogg. “The number of families that we have will determine the number of breakout rooms that we will have over Zoom.” Participants will be joined by their instructors and the CITs who are teachers in training. “One of the breakout rooms would be ‘Bible Adventures,’” she said. “You would be told the story from the Bible, and there would be activities to go with it.” There is also an “Imagination Station” where crafts will be provided to teach the kids the theme for the day.
Because of what has happened due to COVID-19, the VBS board felt it was very important to still bring Vacation Bible School to families.
“These kids have been stripped of so much, they’ve been isolated at home,” said Mrs. Zogg. “I have three kids and it has affected each of them very differently. But the one thing that has been our foundation has been our faith. So, to be able to know that this camp is running when so many of the camps have been canceled is a blessing.”
Those interested in participating should visit the Westborough Ecumenical VBS Facebook page; there is registration information along with other details. Just put Westborough Ecumenical VBS in the search bar of Facebook.com.
Virtual Music Camp
Blessed Sacrament Parish in Worcester is running a music camp. “This is the third year that we’ve done it,” said Becky Noone, director of music at the parish. The camp will be virtual this year, with four weeks’ worth of lessons sent out through Flocknotes. The camp combines music appreciation and education with spirituality. The first part of the lesson includes familiar songs from liturgy such as “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” along with a discussion of the theme (in this case, the story of St. Francis of Assisi). The lessons contain activity suggestions and links to YouTube videos. The second half involves listening to classical pieces where the children are encouraged to draw pictures or do some other creative activity as they are inspired by the music.
“Kids are really engaged with that,” said Ms. Noone. “I have a photo of a little girl who made a wind chime.”
Ms. Noone voiced the common concern of parishes running virtual camps this year: “Just put stuff out there and whoever wants to do it can do it. It has pluses and minuses, mine being I don’t really know who my target audience is.”
Despite these concerns, Mrs. Fuller remains optimistic. “You don’t know whose life you’re going to touch. We’re going full steam ahead praying and hoping for the best.”
