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| |  Posted 2/9/2008 12:51:43 PM | |
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| | Ok, I just bought the kit, and haven't had a chance to look all the way through it, but at first glance I am not seeing the decorating suggestions in the Director's Manual. Am I missing it somewhere or is it in one of the other books. |
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| | | Posted 2/9/2008 8:24:24 PM | |
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| | There is a PowerLab Decorating DVD, which is not included in the Starter Kit. God Bless, Matt
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| | | Posted 2/10/2008 10:19:14 PM | |
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| I know there are decorating ideas in the catalog, but I don't recall seeing any other decorating ideas in the parts of the starter kit that I looked at while I had it (I had to give the kit back so we could start getting stuff to our teachers/coordinators).
We have ordered the Decorating DVD, but I don't think we've got it yet.
To God be the Glory!
~Cassie
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~John 8:12 (NIV) |
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| | | Posted 2/12/2008 12:04:02 PM | |
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| | Hi, This is where I get a little miffed with Group, just a little. When you're new to VBS planing or decorating, it seems overwhelming. They have ideas for decorations scattered through almost all of the material, the squeaky beakers book, on the recruiting video, you just get glimpses. It would sure be helpful if all those decorating ideas were in one place and had color pictures. Not everyone can go to this site, some don't have the time or computer skills( many in my church). I think the ideas from he trial runs, and groups ideas should be sent out with the kit, it's not a big deal for churches who have people with creativity and skilled helpers, Most I would suggest do not! In their roll as "big Dog" of the VBS set, I think they have to remember the "little people", Little Churches, and Little budgets". In the long run I think it would bring them more money. I did not get the decorating CD this year, as many of the ideas are way too difficult for us ( no time, money, skill or people to cut and paint foam figures). I must admit to "talent envy" as I look at many of the sites. We make do with a little imagination and culled ideas from the forum and my head. I think of the many who simply look at this whole very elaborate tin of, openings, drama, bible story presenters in costume, and experiments, closings and just figure I can't do that! Maybe we need two levels of VBS ones for large well sponsored churches and one for our little 300 or less churches! We get $1,000 from church and the rest we get from a $5.00 materials fee ( new last year). Since 85% of the "kids" are not from our church or belong to other churches in the area, we can't blame our church for not budgeting more "baby sitting money", as they call it at counsel meetings.The books are meant for churches with big help, and budgets. We will have about 178 kids and will make due with 25 helpers, only 8-10 of whom will be over 18. thee of whom are taking their vacation from work to help, so we don't stop VBS for lack of help. So make it simple for one person to do, and give us as much help as you can...I think what you ( group) views as simplification, I view as getting so elaborate as to be unmanageable by a beginner, who may only have a dollar store budget and not much talent or help! I have 50 4&5 year olds and maybe 10 in each other grade, so we go with grades. I understand that the small groups are "better", but with our facilities and few"big" people, we have to do it the old fashioned way and guess what! It works too! The directors manual is a bit condescending to the "old fashioned way with bored out of control kids". Sometimes you ave to make do with what you have...and make it work...or give up the chance to plant even one little seed. Sure I'd like to plant a whole field, but I'll settle for one seedling! Craft Bonnie |
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| | | Posted 2/12/2008 3:42:45 PM | |
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| | Hi Craft Bonnie, I hear your frustration. Our church is SMALL, about 175 members and regular attenders. We have used Group the past three years. We usually have around 60 kids at VBS and they LOVE it. We are blessed to have a (small) budget, but we also have wonderful church family who donate items for VBS - 500 items last year - everything from colored tissue paper to peanut butter and crackers. Your comment about some people looking at VBS as babysitting saddens me. Anytime a child hears that Jesus loves them is worth the effort!!! I want to encourage you to keep doing what you're doing. God knows and cares about the work you are doing and He is thrilled that you love Him enough to share His love with kids who might not hear about Him from any place else! Kids don't care if you have bought all the decorations or made them out of poster board, they don't care if it's a giagantic mural painted on the wall or pictures cut out of a magazine. You keep planting those seeds and God will do what He does best!!!! He loves us with an everlasting love!!!! God Bless, joy4him Chesterfield, MO
Joy |
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| | | Posted 2/12/2008 5:18:16 PM | |
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| | Amen Joy! Those who know me well know that I work with NO BUDGET and a 60 member (20 actual members and 40 visitors including kids). We average 40-50 kids every year for VBS and we spend approximately $1500.00 in decorations, supplies, etc. 75% of it is donated in the form of special offerings, materials and food. The other 25% I have to fund raise and use out of pocket money, which I don't get reimbursed for. Nonetheless, our VBS program is spectacular, not because of the creativity that I and others contribute, but because we pray from the beginning of the year until VBS starts. We pray for the Lord to provide all that we need and most importantly that he help us reach the unchurched children of our community with the love of Jesus. I said we have 20 members right? Well, guess how many of them volunteer? Yes, all 20! We put out heart and soul into everything we do. Yes, I am a perfectionist and perhaps OCD when it comes to decorations, I believe we must do the BEST for the Lord, but I have learned that my best is not everyone else's best. I admit that creativity can help you achieve unimaginable things, especially when you don't have the finances, but the lack of it should not hinder us from doing it all with passion and for His glory. If I want others to help and be a part of the program all I need to let go and allow God to use them with whatever talent they have. Bonnie, One of the greatest things this forum has to offer is creativity. Granted that many of the ideas exceed those used by Group, but there are many others that are simpler and just as effective. I believe that Group has been inspired over the years by many of our decorating ideas and their decorations are just a reflection of our collective creativity and passion, but don't let that discourage you. A VBS is 90% love for the children and the desire to bless them, and just 10% all other, which includes decorations, supplies, finances, dissapointments, frustrations, and sometimes lack of help! But honestly, I sense that your heart is truly committed to providing the children with much more that a "baby sitting service". You realize that this is a life changing outreach which is sometimes overlooked by many. I encourage you, like Joy said, to give it your all and don't be dismayed. God will use you and supply all that you need so that you can concentrate in doing the most important task of them all, planting the seed of the Gospel! That's what VBS is all about. And yes, many will never see it that way. There will still be those who think it's just another program, but that is just a thorn of the devil. Pluck it right out by committing everything you do to the Lord and letting him take care of everything else. I will be praying for you and your VBS. That you accomplish all that your heart desires and much, much more!
Partnering with parents to "TRAIN" up our children in the way they should go! |
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| | | Posted 2/12/2008 5:40:23 PM | |
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| Dear Craft Bonnie,
Joy & Pastor Joe have already echoed my thoughts, but I want to let you know that I will pray for your VBS, and for your church leaders' hearts to be opened to the wonderful ministry VBS can be to your community.
I do not know how many members we have in our church but I don't consider us a "big" church. But our leadership team has made it clear that our KidsCamp is a major mission project to our local community, so that passion filters down to everyone in the church. I'm sure it is a harder task when you aren't surrounded by others with that same mission in their hearts.
Just remember - it's not what's on the walls at your VBS.... it's what's in your volunteers hearts as they share Jesus' love with all the kids that come.
God bless you & your ministry!
To God be All the Glory!
~Cassie
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~John 8:12 (NIV) |
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| | | Posted 2/12/2008 5:53:32 PM | |
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| | One more echo here! We're a small church of only about 100 people and we get really excited about VBS! Not everyone volunteers because VBS is in the morning, but everyone is very supportive in our WHOLE TOWN! (Small town tradition, but that's another story.) PJ, Cassie and Joy have totally said it all. Pray, be creative, keep plugging away! But let me add one more thing... beg, borrow and steal! LOL Beg from those in your church, borrow from other churches in your area, and STEAL ALL THE GREAT IDEAS FROM THIS BOARD THAT YOU CAN! As far as decorations go, I am using several of the "space blankets" and lots of black paper. I've bought very shiny after-Christmas stuff that I'm not sure how I will use, but I know I will! Honestly, we don't decorate every inch of the place. We have VBS in a school and don't have the resources. But I DO try to make the opening set really cool. And we've used the same items in Bible Adventure year after year. We just store them in our garage and the basement of the church (or on the altar in the case of the Fica trees!) and look for ways to reuse. So, step back, breathe deep and allow God to bless you!
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| | | Posted 2/12/2008 6:31:30 PM | |
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| PeggyinOhio (2/12/2008)
...But let me add one more thing... beg, borrow and steal! LOL Beg from those in your church, borrow from other churches in your area, and STEAL ALL THE GREAT IDEAS FROM THIS BOARD THAT YOU CAN!Peggy, you forgot one. Dig into those dumpsters! You never know what you're gonna find!  Keep your radars on. Hey, it wouldn't hurt to go around with one of those brainy boppers. I heard they give good reception . And remember, Spring is around the corner. That means GARAGE/YARD SALES everywhere!!!!!
Partnering with parents to "TRAIN" up our children in the way they should go! |
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| | | Posted 2/13/2008 10:57:23 AM | |
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| | Be sure to check out the catalog for some easy, low-cost ideas. Our favorite was the pool noodle "chain" across the craft room. Super easy and just added a lot of fun, bright colors. Or the hula hoop atoms--a trip to the dollar store and we were swimming in atoms. Another low-cost idea is just to purchase (or ask for donations of) neon-colored plastic tablecloths. Use them to cover walls, furniture, ceilings, whatever! We'll try to keep the ideas in one place to make them easier to find, and we'll also keep providing as many low-cost ideas as we can round up.
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