Winnipeg congregation’s virtual VBS sees participants across all western provinces and Ontario

by Beatrix Wolff

WINNIPEG – In March of this year, our VBS team at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (Winnipeg, MB) realized that we had two choices for our summer Vacation Bible School: Cancel and resume in 2021 or host a Virtual VBS. God gave us the courage to tackle a virtual Rainforest Explorer VBS program, through a dedicated and talented team of people who were willing to try something new! Beautiful Savior’s Virtual VBS ran from June 29 – July 3, 2020.

It seemed especially important in this pandemic year for children to hear that Jesus treasures them, and that He is there for them at all times.

We decided to prioritize easy-setup activities that incorporated ordinary household items, since parents would be running the program from home. Team member, Angela, planned out simple yet fun crafts. Snack ideas with substitutions were offered for each day. Parents were encouraged to participate in the activities and games, especially for households with only one child. Team member, Lindsay, created easy-to-follow one-page instruction sheets detailing each activity. Rev. Cam Schnarr produced videos for the opening and closing, with prayers, Bible stories, and music. Team member, Brandi, and Rev. Schnarr filmed Bible Challenges and stories on different sites and backgrounds.

“We are enjoying the VBS material. The crafts and games are simple and the experiments are a great addition!”

Beautiful Savior’s Virtual VBS had young families register from across all the western provinces and Ontario! God greatly blessed us with a wonderfully talented team, so that we could bring His message to children across our great country. It seemed especially important in this pandemic year for children to hear that Jesus treasures them, and that He is there for them at all times. One participating family commented, “We are enjoying the VBS material. The crafts and games are simple and the experiments are a great addition!” Another family sent some words of encouragement following their participation in the program, “Just wanted to let you know how well-planned, organized, easy to follow, and fun this was for us.”

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Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church is a Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) congregation located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For more information about LCC’s Virtual VBS for summer 2020, please visit: www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/eventscalendar/lcc-virtual-vbs-2020/

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