To the Editor:

Emmanuel Congregational United Church of Christ under the leadership of Pastor Judith VanKennen, St. Peter’s Parish (John Schneider), St. John's Episcopal (Mother Sonia Boyce) and Grace United Methodist Church joined their energies to plan and present an Ecumenical Vacation Bible School here in Massena at Emmanuel Congregational United Church of Christ. 

Children ages 5-12 became immersed in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth where he was a kid. They wore clothing of his time period, ate foods he would have eaten,  played games, sang songs and even visited the Market Place. Here they participated in making beaded necklaces or bracelets, digging for rocks at a rock quarry to be made into a necklace, weaving yarn, planting seeds, making a wooden sheep at the carpenter’s shop and eating yummy foods.

The children learned about the issue of unclean water being unavailable to many children in various parts of the world. They brought in change to help change the problem. $100 was collected and sent to an area of India to help dig deep wells that will allow people to have clean water.

Teens were involved as tribe leaders and apprentices to the market vendors. We are most grateful to various businesses that contributed to our program. Johnston’s Water donated water and cups for hydration purposes, Via Main for the banner advertising VBS; Fourth Coast Cafe for three double layered cakes; Stewart’s Shop (Rte 56) Make your own sundaes kit, Frenchie Ford (money donation) and Price Chopper (gift card). 

A great time was had by one and all. May God bless all who were involved in any way. The ones who profited the most: the children attending. They go to school together, they play sports together and they were given an opportunity to pray together. 

 Committee for Ecumenical Vacation Bible School