Recycle, Renew...Rejoice!

by MARY RAE BAYLESS, Independence, Missouri, USA

Using ReNew: The Green VBS, children discovered how to “Grow in Faith, Have Fun, and Change the World!” at Open Arms Congregation in Independence, Missouri.

Forty people—members, friends, and neighborhood kids—took part in the vacation Bible school program.
Leaders encouraged children to “Be God’s good dirt, and let God’s seeds of love grow in you!” Outside the church, old hubcaps found new life as brightly painted flowers. Children planted vegetable seeds to take home and nurture each day. A friendly “farmer” presented the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1–9).

During each session, children visited three stations (self, community, and world). With everyday items, they learned ways to reuse, recycle, renew, repurpose, and upcyle, which converts waste into products with better environmental value. They painted with mud on paper grocery bags, created rhythm instruments from recycled containers, and learned how other countries use natural resources.

The children looked inside raw fruits and vegetables to see the seeds and how plants grow. They ate healthy snacks as they walked two blocks to prepare soil and plant vegetable seeds in a newly created community garden.

They sang new and familiar songs that emphasized “green” ways to live each day and repurposed old CDs and trinkets into fancy wall-hangings.

At the final session, which replaced the regular Sunday worship, Steve Kellogg, financial officer for Central USA Mission Center, spoke on “Bear Good Fruit.” He reinforced the message of the parable and invited the congregation to nurture goodness and responsibility.

As part of A Disciple’s Generous Response, children collected recyclable plastic, glass, paper, and aluminum in four bushel baskets.

What we learned continues to guide our thinking as a congregation and how we view our community and world. We are responsible for helping to create a healthier and better world as we learn to realize God’s love and purpose.