Vacation Bible School Draws Children to the Son

The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East central valley parishes of California hosted their second annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) around a “Son Surf Beach Bash” theme.

The week-long event, involving Mar Zaia, Mar Gewargis and Mar Addai parishes, was held from 6-10 June in Larsa Hall, Turlock for kindergarten through to sixth graders.

VBS directors Evelyn Oraha, Helen Piro, Vivian Yaghoub and more than 60 other volunteers organized the event to accommodate nearly 120 children.

The VBS program theme revolved mainly around the John 14:6 verse: “Jesus said to him,  ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

Each day brought on a new task for the students during which they learned to “meet up with Jesus”,”look up to Jesus”,”join up with Jesus”,”open up to Jesus” and “fire up for Jesus”.

The class sessions included Bible Study, Arts and Crafts, and Music and Dance.  Students were given time for snack and recreation where they played, laughed, sang, and danced to Christian music.

The students were surprised with a special guest on Thursday, when His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California, along with Rev. Genard Lazar toured the VBS classrooms and took photographs with the participants and volunteers.

On the last day, the closing ceremony included a singing performance by all of the participants, as well as the handing out of participation certificates and a luncheon.

VBS would not have taken place without the full support of H.G. Mar Awa and parish priests Cor-Bishop Auchana Kanoun, Rev. Jameel Warda, and Rev. Shamlee Tamraz.