Escalon Presbyterian Church on First Street was the site for a weeklong Vacation Bible School program, with the theme ‘Twists and Turns – Following Jesus Changes the Game’ used for this year’s VBS.
There were several dozen youngsters registered and in attendance most days, ranging from the youngest Pre-k and kindergarten students on up to fifth and sixth graders. Older kids and adult volunteers helped keep the activities flowing smoothly, with the VBS offered from 8:45 a.m. to noon from Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23.
Each day started with all attendees gathering for singing songs and a brief time of worship, with the kids then getting into their age groups to move on to the individual stations. Those ranged from arts and crafts to outdoor games, snack time to story time.
Among the projects during the week, kids made their own unique game boards, put together picture frames, did colorful etchings and more.
All of their projects, which they could take home at the end of the week, were stored in buckets they decorated and personalized, the donated plastic buckets serving as ‘cubbies’ to hold the various projects.
Escalon Presbyterian Church Pastor Troy Onsager said the VBS went well and he was pleased with the turnout and the amount of helpers that made it a special week for the campers.
“It’s just a blast, seeing all the kids, their happy faces, getting an opportunity to teach them the gospel and volunteers just giving of their time throughout the week, that’s what makes it special, youth volunteers as well as adult volunteers,” Onsager said of what he enjoys most about the long-running VBS at the church.
Also an important piece of the VBS, the donations accepted during the week for C.A.R.E., Community Action Resources of Escalon, the local food cupboard. C.A.R.E. is supported by the Escalon Ministerial Association and kids were asked to bring in donations of non-perishable food items to benefit the food pantry as an offering.
“It’s really important for us to continue to teach the kids to give to this because we do help a lot of families and to teach kids that this is really part of our mission as well,” Onsager said of the impact of C.A.R.E.
Residents in need of food, from Escalon, Farmington and Collegeville, can get assistance at the local pantry, which also offers regular programs for senior citizens to aid them with supplemental groceries.
“If you need help, please contact C.A.R.E. for some assistance for food,” Onsager said.
C.A.R.E. is at 1601 Second St.; monetary donations to help support the food cupboard can be mailed to Escalon Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 1, Escalon, CA 95320. You can also contact C.A.R.E. at 209-838-3831 for more information.
“We are doing well, we’ve upgraded a number of our freezers there,” Onsager added, noting that donations have definitely picked up over the past year, as the area has emerged fully from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We really appreciate all of the financial donations as well as the canned food donations that we get.”
The special Closing Program on Friday featured a greeting and opening prayer from Pastor Onsager, who also gave a Mission report. Then the youngsters took to the stage for a number of musical presentations, each grade level working on a few songs during the week to perform. All attendees joined on stage for the final three songs to close out the week. A free lunch of hot dogs, chips and cookies was then served for the VBS kids, volunteers and all those attending the closing program.
