CANWOOD (Skwn) — They begin to plan for their VBS program early in the spring with a barbecue fundraiser. THEY, being the members of the Ministerial Association in Shellbrook, Leask, Parkside and Canwood.
The members of the association get together frequently and include representatives from the Pentecostal churches from Shellbrook, Leask and Canwood and the Lutheran churches in Canwood, Shellbrook and Parkside, along with the Anglican and Roman Catholic church in Shellbrook.
Sandra Boyle has been spearheading interdenominational VBS programs in Canwood for years. Last year they decided to combine their communities and have a program that would include all children from Shellbrook and Canwood.
Their first school was held in Shellbrook in 2023 with plans to have the next one in Canwood for 2024.
There was an average of 50 kids attending the VBS each day for three days in late August.
Those coming from Shellbrook were taken to Canwood by Pastor David Bodvarson who borrowed the bus from the owner. Pastor John Slemming, Youth/Children’s pastor and his wife Susie from the Shellbrook Pentecostal Assembly and Pastor Bob Wrench and his wife Jill from the Canwood Pentecostal, pastor Emmanuel from the Lutheran church in Shellbrook and Canwood was there along with the Rev. David Butorac representing St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Shellbrook.
The VBS was held in the Pentecostal church in Canwood. The students brought their own bag lunch with snacks provided by the Lutheran youth group and the ministerial.
Among the volunteers were 10 youth from the Canwood church youth group and 10 adults from the participating churches. The ministers took turns giving lessons and speaking to the kids.
Pastor Bob and Jill oversaw the outdoor activities. The schedule for their days began at 9 a.m., open session, 9:30 a.m. Older Lesson/younger craft, 10 a.m. Younger lesson/older game, 10:30 a.m. younger game/older craft, 11:15 a.m. small group, 11:45 a.m. lunch, 12:15 p.m. open session, 12:45 p.m. older lesson/younger craft, 1:15 p.m. Younger lesson/older game, 1:45 p.m. younger game/older craft, 2:30 p.m. small group, 3 p.m. closing.
It is no wonder they needed so many volunteers to organize such a day. One of the volunteers from the St. Andrew’s Church said she was exhausted by the time it was over. On the last day of the sessions everyone piled into the bus and went to the seniors’ home in Canwood to sing for the residents.
I don’t know how it works in other rural towns in the diocese, but the Shellbrook ministerial is a very active group collecting for the food bank, Christmas hampers for the needy and many other worthwhile initiatives.
Last year this same group held a Christmas party in November for children in kindergarten to Grade 6, with crafts, a Christmas play, songs and snacks.
Parents and families were also welcome to come.
