By Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference

The MCCI process in one church is having positive effects long after the  implementation stage in unexpected ways. Although Fargo First UMC has been in the MCCI program for three years, this was the first year their “Families First” committee took the VBS program under their wing and gave it a new significance in reaching a new people.

Fargo First UMC renewed their commitment to Vacation Bible School (VBS) in late July with a week of going green, and holding their summer VBS at their south campus in Fargo.  Fargo First used the curriculum of  ReNew: The Green VBS! To reach out to 26 kids, ages 3 – 6th grade, and include volunteers in ways that energized both participants and volunteers. Photos courtesy of Fargo First facebook page.

Jan Cossette said it was a snap to recruit volunteers. Sometimes that can be a drag on an event coordinator, but she said they had wonderful volunteers as teachers, supervisors, and even 7th-graders who volunteered to be assistants to the groups. That was a great way to keep them involved in a program they already loved, and give them a sense of mission. She gave a special shout-out to her fellow committee members, Stacy Anderson and Jennifer Carmean.

Cossette’s committee saw that they could use VBS to further their mission of creating family participation events at Fargo First. Cossette had an epiphany when she realized, “If the folks in Christian Education don’t mind, I’ll just jump in and do this.” She summarized, “Although we had about the same number of kids this year, they were from different families than in past years. Through the themes of God’s green earth, planting seeds, recycling, and, of course, a water balloon contest, we were able to connect God’s message to real tangible parts of our everyday lives.”

Each day the kids were sent home with materials to relate their daytime activities to their families, and make the event more family-inclusive. The feedback from the parents and kids was phenomenal. Cossette said the families were thrilled with the activities, and with the DVD of photos, music and lyrics they were given after the week-long event. A presentation was made at the Fargo First downtown campus on Sunday, July 30.

The next Families First event is already slated for August 26, including a Music Fest, with music from their "Joy for the Journey" praise band, games galore, a duck pond, a free supper and a worship service, all in an outdoor setting. 

Fargo First and Families First are making big waves in Fargo, and the effects of MCCI are continuing to grow their ministry to neighbors and strangers alike.