Connecting animals and people

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Bible will come roaring to life during this year’s savannah safari-themed vacation bible school at First United Methodist Church.
According to organizer Elaine Wilcomb, animals will be a recurring theme throughout the bible school this year. From the activities each day to the project the church is raising money for, everything is animal.  
Every year the church chooses a mission project, Wilcomb said, ranging from collecting sneakers for people in other counties to food for the local BREAD office.
“This year, since we have a safari-themed VBS, we thought we would incorporate animals,” Wilcomb said. “We picked the Heifer project. The kids and congregation will raise money for the project.” 
Called a “simple but groundbreaking plan to help the hungry,” Dan West Regan began the Heifer project 75 years ago. A Midwestern farmer, Regan returned from volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War, where his job was to provide refugees with a single cup of milk, according to information about the project.
“He knew American farmers had resources many other did not: cows and the steady supply of nutrition from their milk,” the information states. “This ‘not a cup, but a cow,’ thought was the driving force behind Regan founding Heifer International. Now, 75 years later, the ‘teach a man to fish’ philosophy still inspires our work to end world hunger and poverty once and for all.”
Part of Heifer International, according to Pastor Brenda Torrie, the Heifer project has a U.S. branch located in Arkansas. This ranch works with small-scale farmers to help them transform their communities. 
“Giving an animal is like giving someone a small business, providing wool, milk, eggs and more,” the information on Heifer says. “Animal donations can provide families a hand up, increasing access to medicine, school, food and a sustainable livelihood.” 
Wilcomb explained that the program strives to “end hunger and poverty” by purchasing families the animal they need. VBS attendees will raise money through different fundraisers to purchase animals for the hungry in other countries. 
“We thought it would be something near and dear to the hearts in this community,” Torrie said. 
“It is a cow not a cup; instead of milk, they get the cow,” Wilcomb said. “Speaking of animals, we are 99.5% sure we will have a goat at vacation Bible school. We will have chickens and bunnies for sure, though.” 
She said that the animal will tie into the lessons for each day, talking about what the animal does for the family. Animals will also be present throughout the theme of VBS, tying the mission to the event. 
“Each day we will have an animal. One day will be rhino, one day giraffe and also the lion,” Wilcomb said. “Each of those days there will be a Bible point and a Bible story that each animal will tell.”
Vacation Bible school will feature several different stations, including visual and hands-on activities focusing on God and the joy he can bring to children and families,
Torrie said. 
“We want them to learn that God is joy. This is really a way to make church fun for kids,” Torrie said. “They love VBS, they think it is exciting. We get to introduce children to God and encourage them to know God. We don’t push them to come to church but encourage them to know that God is joy and not something they should be afraid of.” 
Several churches come together to host the event, according to Wilcomb, with Christ the King partnering with the Methodist church this year. She noted that volunteers from the Church on the Hill will also be present. 
“This year’s program will run June 18-20 from 9 a.m. to noon,” Wilcomb said. “On the 20th we will have a barbecue, which the United Methodist men will be hosting.” 
Both Wilcomb and Torrie encourage parents and guardians with children interested in attending VBS to inform one of the churches at 746-4119 or the Lutheran church at 746-2415. They noted that although there is no website to sign up, they encourage parents to call so the churches can plan for the appropriate number of kids. 
Children in grades K-5 are eligible to attend VBS, and any middle or high school students interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact either of the churches.