With our VBS Caring for Creation at its end it is a chance to reflect on all the wonderful events and learning that have happened over this past week from July 17th -21st.
The children and our staff, (Sharleen Thompson, Marie Langley, Dolly Beaumont, Ruth Bennington and youth leaders Arianna Rymer and Gabe Sayers) began the week with an introduction to what Caring for Creation means.
On Monday Sharleen Thompson told the story of creation with emphasis on the covenant to care for God's garden.“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” Genesis 2:15
On Tuesday the children had a beach day and they learned about all the ocean creatures based on Genesis 9:8-17 about God's covenant with his people regaarding the flood and the promise of the rainbow.The children picked up beach items to create their journey (walking) sticks. When they returned to the church they worked on a banner illustrating these concepts.
On Wednesday the children walked to Sitting Lady Falls where Beecher Bay Elder Randy Chipps told the story of the Falls as he is the official protector of stories for his indigenous clan.
The children got to hold sacred rattles and drums while Randy performed and sung with them celebrating our connection to the Earth and all the creatures in it as well as St. Mary's particular connection to the Chipps family.
The reading was :“But ask the animals and they will teach you or the birds in the sky and they will tell you, or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of mankind.” Romans 1:20
On Thursday the children under the direction of a naturalist from Capital Regional District (CRD) removed invasive species of Ivy here in Metchosin. The industrious crew removed enough to fill the bed of a pick-up truck. Good work kids and adults too!
Friday began with a trip to Metchosin Farm where Fiona Hamersley Chambers showed the children all about organic farming, composting toilets, egg gathering and harvesting viable seeds. This illustrated the following bible verse put into practice in the community:
"If you follow my statutes and keep my commandments and observe them faithfully, I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." (Leviticus 26:3-4)
This year's VBS had 16 kids most days and 18 registered. Join us next year for another great VBS.