Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Committee Chairperson
Jason St. Jean

Description
To glorify God by providing a meaningful summer educational experience that Directors, helpers, drama, band, crafts, snacks
   
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Director
   
Purpose of Ministry:The purpose of serving as a VBS Director at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by coordinating and facilitating a meaningful summer educational experience that increases the students' knowledge and spiritual growth.
   
Objectives:   
      *   To coordinate the VBS program
      *   To recruit, train, and orient VBS staff.   
   
Activities:   
      *   Prepare and submit a budget for VBS
      *   Select and order VBS curriculum
      *   Recruit VBS staff
      *   Pray regularly for VBS staff and the students
      *   Arrange for advertising the VBS throughout the church and community.
      *   Prior to VBS, conduct an orientation session with staff to go over job descriptions, distribute curriculum, divide classroom space, and schedule activities
      *   Conduct training for teachers and staff
      *   Just prior to VBS, meet with staff to solidify details and answer questions
      *   Obtain supplies
      *   Develop a schedule for each session that describes each class's movement from activity to activity, e.g., crafts, games, and songs.
      *   Schedule and organize the closing program
      *   Ensure that registration material and schedules are available for each class
      *   Arrive at church with enough time to set up for each session
      *   Ensure that attendance is taken in each class
      *   Supervise the writing and distribution of announcements for parents regarding special activities or programs
      *   Be available during the VBS sessions to deal with supply shortages or sick children
      *   Supervise and assist with cleanup after each session
      *   Meet regularly with the other Directors to delegate responsibilities
   
Related Gifts
Visionary and managing leadership, teaching the faith, shepherding
   
Other Qualities:
Good organizational skills, ability to think quickly, education and administrative skills and experience
   
Reports to:
Pastor Tom, and Administrative Council
   
Service Times:
Selection of curriculum; recruitment of staff meetings with other Directors, and staff prior to VBS; participation in setup through cleanup of each VBS session
   
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
   
Training/Orientation:
Instruction by previous VBS Director, and on the job training!
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Teacher
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as a VBS Teacher at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by helping children have a meaningful VBS experience
   
Objectives:   
      *   To facilitate a well-prepared learning experience for all children
      *   To provide a loving, nurturing learning environment where children can develop their faith
      *   To be open and responsive to student's needs
      *   To be responsible member of the VBS team   
   
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Receive curriculum material from the VBS Director.
      *   In the weeks prior to VBS, study the curriculum materials and prepare lessons
      *   Prior to each class, review the lesson
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS helper, other staff and students
      *   Arrive at church before each session with enough time to handle last-minute changes or needs and set up the classroom
      *   Present the lesson, using storytelling, questions, skits, and other educational methods appropriate to the age group.
      *   Ensure that students are assisted with class assignments and personal needs are addressed
      *   Help participants learn to share and take turns with others
      *   Handle discipline problems as they arise
      *   Arrange for attendance to be taken at each session
      *   Assist with games, crafts, songs, and snacks.
      *   Assist with cleanup after each VBS session
      *   Guide students in preparing something (e.g., a song or skit) for the closing program
   
Related Gifts
Nurturing leadership, mercy, helping
   
Other Qualities:
Patience, high energy level, ability to communicate spiritual concepts in age-appropriate language
   
Reports to:
VBS Directors
   
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions
   
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
   
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS
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Adult Vacation Bible School (VBS) Teacher
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as an Adult VBS Teacher at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by helping lead adults in a meaningful VBS experience
   
Objectives:   
      *   To facilitate a well-prepared learning experience for adults
      *   To provide a loving, nurturing learning environment that facilitates faith development
      *   To enable others to grow in their faith
      *   To be a responsible member of the VBS team   
   
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Receive curriculum material from the VBS Director.
      *   In the weeks prior to VBS, study the curriculum materials and prepare lessons
      *   Prior to each class, review the lesson
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS helper, other staff and students
      *   Meet with your VBS helper to discuss plans for the week.
      *   Arrive at church before each session with enough time to handle last-minute changes or needs and set up the classroom
      *   Present the lesson in a clear, inviting manner, using lecture, discussion, and other educational methods.
      *   Give class members opportunities to share and discuss if they wish
      *   Arrange for taking attendance
      *   Oversee cleanup after each VBS session
   
Related Gifts
Teaching the faith, shepherding, proclamation, evangelism, visionary and managing leadership, knowing, encouragement, faith, wisdom, discernment
   
Other Qualities:
Experience in teaching adults, good group facilitation skills, friendly and inviting, well organized, clear communicator
   
Reports to:
VBS Directors
   
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions
   
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
   
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS

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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Band and/or Skit Player
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as a VBS Band and/or Skit Player at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by coordinating the music or skits for the VBS program
   
Objectives:   
      *   To facilitate the music and skits for VBS students and staff
      *   To communicate the love of God through music and skits   
   
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS staff and students
      *   Consult with the VBS director, study the VBS curriculum and use your knowledge to select songs and/or skits consistent with the VBS theme
      *   Select songs and/or skits for each session
      *   Practice selected songs and/or skits on your own
      *   Arrive early at each session to set up and prepare
      *   Teach children and staff the selected songs
      *   Practice music and/or skits for the closing program with staff and students
      *   Conduct opening and closing worship for the VBS
   
Related Gifts
Teaching the faith, visionary and managing leadership
   
Other Qualities:
Band experience (or willingness to learn!), drama experience (or willingness to look silly!), enthusiastic, loves children
   
Reports to:
VBS Directors
   
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions, practice of music and/or skits
   
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
   
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS, other musical or dramatic experience with children or VBS helpful
   
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Craft Coordinator
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as a VBS Craft Coordinator at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by helping VBS participants learn through expressing themselves in crafts and art.
   
Objectives:   
      *   To facilitate well-prepared craft projects for VBS participants
      *   To provide a loving, nurturing learning environment
      *   To be open and responsive to students' needs
      *   To be responsible member of the VBS team
   
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Receive curriculum material with craft suggestions from the VBS Director.
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS helper, other staff and students
      *   Meet with your VBS helper to discuss plans for the week.
      *   Decide which crafts to do, finding additional craft projects as necessary, keeping projects consistent with the VBS theme and class lessons
      *   In the weeks prior to VBS, obtain and prepare materials needed for craft projects
      *   Recruit and meet with VBS helpers to discuss plans for the week.
      *   Receive rotation schedule from the VBS Directors which indicates when each class will come for crafts
      *   Arrive at church before each session with enough time to handle last-minute changes or needs and set up the classroom
      *   As each class comes for craft time, explain how to make the project
      *   Ensure that student's needs for assistance are addressed
      *   Help participants learn to respect each other's work.
      *   Handle discipline problems as they arise.
      *   Oversee cleanup after each VBS session
   
Other Qualities:
Patience, affinity for working with children, proficiency in craft making
   
Reports to:
VBS Directors
   
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions
   
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
   
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS
   
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Games Coordinator
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as a VBS Games Coordinator at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by helping VBS participants take part in enjoyable and meaningful games during VBS
   
Objectives:   
      *   To facilitate well-prepared games for VBS participants
      *   To provide a loving, nurturing learning environment
      *   To be open and responsive to students' needs
      *   To be responsible member of the VBS team   
         
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Receive curriculum material with craft suggestions from the VBS Director.
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS helper, other staff and students
      *   Meet with your VBS helper to discuss plans for the week.
      *   Decide which games to play, finding additional games as necessary, keeping the consistent with the VBS theme and class lessons
      *   In the weeks prior to VBS, obtain and prepare materials needed for games
      *   Recruit and meet with VBS helpers to discuss plans for the week.
      *   Receive rotation schedule from the VBS Directors which indicates when each class will come for games
      *   Arrive at church before each session with enough time to handle last-minute changes or needs and set up the classroom
      *   As each class comes for games, give instructions for game(s)
      *   Ensure that student's needs for assistance and safety are addressed
      *   Help participants learn to respect and cooperate with each other
      *   Handle discipline problems as they arise.
      *   Oversee cleanup after each VBS session   
      
Related Gifts
Visionary and managing leadership, nurturing leadership, wisdom
      
Other Qualities:
Patience, affinity for working with children, proficiency in taking part in and facilitating games
      
Reports to:
VBS Directors
      
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions
      
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
      
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS
      
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Helper
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as a VBS Helper at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by assisting teachers and leaders in the congregations VBS
   
Objectives:   
      *   To assist staff during VBS sessions
      *   To help meet the needs of students during VBS
      *   To be a responsible member of the VBS team   
   
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS staff and students
      *   In the weeks prior to VBS read the curriculum material that pertains to the area in which you will be working and note questions
      *   Meet with the staff person you are assisting to discuss plans for the week
      *   Arrive at church before each session with enough time to handle last-minute changes or needs and set up the classroom
      *   Coordinate students movement from one activity to the next (e.g.; games, crafts, snacks)
      *   Ensure that students are assisted with class assignments and personal needs are addressed
      *   Help participants learn to share and take turns with others
      *   Handle discipline problems as they arise
      *   Assist with games, crafts, songs, and snacks.
      *   Assist with cleanup after each VBS session   
   
Related Gifts
   
Other Qualities:
Patience, affinity for the age group and activity area being serviced, ability to work as a team
   
Reports to:
VBS Directors
   
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions
      
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
   
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS
   
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) Snack Coordinator
   
Purpose of Ministry:
The purpose of serving as VBS Snack Coordinator at the Milford United Methodist Church is to glorify God by providing refreshments for participants during each VBS session
   
Objectives:   
      *   To prepare snacks for VBS participants
      *   To provide a loving, nurturing environment
      *   To be open and responsive to students' needs
      *   To be a responsible member of the VBS team      
   
Activities:   
      *   Attend organizational meetings and training prior to VBS
      *   Receive curriculum material with snack suggestions from the VBS Directors
      *   Pray regularly for your VBS staff and students
      *   Decide which snacks to prepare, choosing additional or different snacks, being consistent with the VBS theme and class lessons
      *   In the weeks prior to VBS, solicit or purchase items needed for snacks and submit receipts to the VBS Directors
      *   Recruit and meet with VBS helpers, if needed to discuss plans for the week.
      *   Receive rotation schedule from the VBS Director, which indicates when each class will come for snacks
      *   Arrive before each session with enough time to prepare snacks
      *   Serve each class when it comes for snacks
      *   Ensure that students' needs for assistance are addressed
      *   Handle discipline problems as they arise
      *   Coordinate cleanup of the snack area after each VBS session   
      
Related Gifts
Helping, coordinating, organized
      
Other Qualities:
Patience, affinity for working with children, food preparation skills
      
Reports to:
VBS Directors
      
Service Times:
Participation in meetings prior to VBS; preparation before VBS and review of material each day during VBS; service during VBS sessions
      
Length of Service:
One year, renewable by mutual agreement
      
Training/Orientation:
Participation in orientation session on format and logistics of VBS   

See our Committee Contact page for more information.