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"AVALANCHE RANCH" COMES TO MANCHESTER
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UNITES COMMUNITY RESIDENTS
By Kim Fink
 | | --Photo By Kim Fink Not your typical Vacation Bible School, the Redeemer Lutheran Church on Route 70 was transformed into the fun-filled "Avalanche Ranch" last week to the delight of the 75-plus enrolled children. |
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An "avalanche" of fun and excitement hit Manchester township on Monday, July 30, when Redeemer Lutheran Church launched it's week long Vacation Bible School program. Residents from Manchester, Whiting and Lakehurst filled the church at 9 a.m., dropping off their children and reuniting with friends and neighbors from last year's program.
Children and parents alike were bubbling with anticipation, rushing to get the first glimpse of the festively decorated church. Wagon wheels, bails of hay and cowboy hats all added to the western theme. Linda Piskowski, director and Manchester resident, said she enlisted friend and fellow church member Eileen Seal to design and paint the set.
"She's very artistic and the set looks great again this year," said Piskowski.
As director, Piskowski feels it's her job to get the word out about the program and involve as many town residents as possible. She starts gathering volunteers months in advance and stresses the fact that you do not need to be a church member to join.
"We try to get the whole community informed about what we're doing. It really brings everyone together," she said.
Piskowski is very happy with the enrollment this year.
"We have about 75 children. We've had as many as 100 in the past, but that gets a little difficult, she said. "The camp is open to all children, ages 3 to 12, and is broken into groups by grade. We let the kids join up until sixth grade, after that, we bring them on as assistants to the crew leaders and then eventually, they become leaders themselves."
Now 18 years old, Nikki Grizzle has been volunteering
her time since she was 12.
"It's really cool," said Grizzle. "I started here as a camper about
eight years ago, and then I just stayed on as a volunteer as I got older. It's fun for the kids because they enjoy themselves while learning about God. It's nice because some kids don't get to go to church, so this is a place they can learn and they don't even realize it because they're playing with other children and doing fun projects."
The day begins at 9 a.m., at which time, there is a short presentation in the church to greet the children and get them ready to break into their groups. The children do crafts, play games, have snacks and are told a Bible story that they can help act out. At 11:35 a.m., the children all gather back in the church where the parents are waiting and the campers sing the songs they learned that day. Each child leaves with a lesson for them to do at home and a toy or craft that pertains to the day's lesson.
"The children really enjoy it," stated Beth Rice, wife of Pastor Jim Rice. "This is our first year at this congregation and we're very pleased."
VBS is funded entirely by Redeemer Lutheran Church and does not ask for any donations to cover the cost of the camp, however, children are asked to contribute to the chosen mission that is adopted by the church each year.
"This year, we are collecting school supplies for Ysleta Lutheran Mission," Piskowski added. "We thought this was a good project for us because it's a kid to kid charity. Children like to give to other children so this works well."
The campers are asked to bring in school supplies such as backpacks, pencils, crayons, rulers, pens, glue or markers. The supplies are then sent to the mission in Texas where they are distributed to needy children in Mexico to help prepare them for the upcoming school year.
Kerry Kurz of Manchester has two children enrolled, and is extremely happy with everything VBS has to offer.
"My kids love it," she said. "We've been coming for three years now. They look forward to coming back everyday. It's a great place for them."
For more information on Mission Ysleta, contact Redeemer Lutheran Church at 732- 657-2828.
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