Nebraska Synod ELCA
Event
Class Description:
Are you looking for a curriculum for VBS and ready to try something new? Do you want to help kids explore the ideas of justice and peace in their community and the world? Join this three-week class to explore Vacation Bible School (and beyond!) options provided by the Synod and the ELCA. We will go over the curriculum, cost and needs for each option and have time for questions and answers. Join us for all three sessions or just for the one you want to learn more about.
Week one – ELCA World Hunger:
The ELCA provides several curriculums helping children to learn about hope, hunger and the work God calls us to in the world. We will explore these curriculums and offer advice and ideas from those who have done them in the past.
Week Two – Rafiki Day Camp:
The word Rafiki means friend in Swahili. This weeklong program helps kids explore what it means to be a friend and to love your neighbor in a diverse community. It helps kids explore ways to resolve conflict and to understand each other. Games, activities, snacks, and Bible Study are centered around a daily theme of friendship and congregations are encouraged to partner with another congregation who may look different than theirs for this week of learning.
Week Three – HeadFirst Hat Company:
Based on the book “Ivan and his hats” by Max Lucado, this curriculum focuses on helping kids identify their gifts and how they can use them in the church and the world. We all have different gifts to share and different hats to wear. Kids will spend the week identifying what hats they want to wear and learn from others in their congregation how they can use those gifts. The HeadFirst Hat Company curriculum is a resource offered through the Nebraska Synod’s IDEA program.
Instructor:
Gretchen Ahrens, Director for Youth and Justice Ministries for the Nebraska Synod. She has written curriculum and led Bible Study for many years at summer camps and as a child, she grew up dreaming of the day she’d be old enough to help lead VBS. She is passionate about helping kids (and their adult sponsors!) understand and explore their baptismal promises, especially striving for peace and justice in all the earth. Gretchen brings 15 years of outdoor ministry experience; adaptive skills have served 3 years as a Peace Corps volunteer and teaching skills as a certified equine instructor.
Course Details:
Dates: Sundays February 2, 9 and 16
Time: 1:15 – 2:15 Central/12:15-1:15 Mountain Time – We set the time thinking participants could stay put at the church, enjoy a simple lunch and join the New Ideas for VBS course.
Format: This is an online course using Zoom. The link and additional details will be emailed to registered participant after January 27, 2025
Materials: Bring note taking supplies. Links to the programs will be shared during the classes.
Target Audience: Wondering what to offer this summer for Vacation Bible School (VBS), then this course is for you. Bring the VBS planning team or the group contemplating what the congregation will offer this summer. High School youth helping to plan summer programs are invited to join.
Cost: $20/group for the three sessions. Gather as a group in a room with big screen TV. Take advantage of the time together and allow time for discussion following the 60-minute session. Links and other prep materials will be sent to the one registered person to share with the group.
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 27, 2025, is registration deadline. No refunds after January 27.
Continuing Education Credit: Continuing Education credits are not offered for this course.