Description
Through a panel of faith formation presenters, we will look into the traditional model of VBS as we have known it to be over the past 50 years, what challenges that model presents for many contemporary churches, and what some churches are doing differently. Jill Reichert will present a week of camp (with an all-day option) that focuses on Worship Arts in the morning, culminating in a children-led worship service and an afternoon focus of service/outreach and recreation; Colleen Duffy will present a week of evening, intergenerational gatherings; Kat Green will present a model that is a Bible Study and Supper Club all wrapped up into one; and Priscilla Andre-Colton will present a camp that has a faith-based VBS curriculum in the morning, followed by an optional afternoon of fellowship, arts, recreation, and service. During our panel discussions we will lean into the need to: Show our children that Loving Neighbor is by its very nature, Loving God; Connecting our children with the larger worshiping body of our churches (intergenerationality) through building lasting relationships, sharing one another’s gifts, and fostering the need for inclusion and mutuality across all ages in the Body of Christ; and Connecting our children with the ministries, mission, and outreach that our churches are connected with (loving and serving our neighbors), allowing our children to serve alongside adults. You will see these common threads woven throughout the panelists’ presentations. Time will be given for sharing thoughts and beginning to develop new ideas for your congregations.
Workshop Leader: Jill Reichert
Jill has been in educational ministries for over 25 years, serving 4 PCUSA congregations, 1 UCC congregation, and one cross-denominational church consulting organization as a consultant. Her greatest ministry passion is intergenerational ministry and equipping families of young children to nurture their families’ home faith lives.
Co-Leader: Priscilla Andre-Colton; Kat Green; Colleen Duffy
Priscilla Andre-Colton, a retired Certified Christian Educator from Alexandria, VA.
She has served churches in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. She was
also one of the writers for Follow Me curriculum and Opening Doors content.
Kat Green is the Director of Children’s Ministry at
Woods Church in Severna Park, MD. She has
served in all areas of formation and with
churches from 2 to 4000 members.
Colleen Duffy is the Associate for Family Nurture at First Presbyterian Church of Newton, in Newton, New Jersey and has served several terms on the board of the East APCE Region, where she currently serves as Secretary.