The Parish of St. Mary, in Anguilla hosted a Vacation Bible School (VBS) during the week of 14th to 18th August 2023, from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon daily, under the theme: “Passport to Peace.” During the week, fifty-five children from across the island between the ages of three and twelve benefited from this programme.
The children explored five main themes through song, scriptures, bible stories, interactive activities, games, art and science:
1. Peacemakers listen to and learn from people who are different.
2. Peacemakers notice the needs of others and seek to help.
3. Peacemakers act creatively to keep everyone safe.
4. Peacemakers respond to conflict without using violence.
5. Peacemakers take action when people have been hurt.
The main scripture of focus was: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
The Parish Youth Coordinator and VBS Director, Ms. Tameika Fleming impressed upon the cohort to put what they learned into practice and seek to promote peace and share God’s love in every aspect of their lives. She also holds the view that if we truly want to address the challenges and ills plaguing our society, we have to invest in our children because they are the future. “The change we want to see starts with us, and it starts today,” she said.
Parish Priest, Canon Reid Simon commented that: “The Passport to Peace is something that our youngsters, indeed our wider society need to hear about today. I was very happy with its introduction and that the leaders were able to engage the youngsters with this growth tool. Further, my only thought is that we now need it, or something similar for our adults.”
The amazing week of discovery and adventure ended on Friday 18th August, at 2:00PM with a Closing Ceremony at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, where the children had the opportunity to share what they learned with relatives, friends and well-wishers. Assistant Parish Priest, Bishop Errol Brooks, addressed the group and encouraged the parents to bring the children to church and enroll them in Sunday School so they could develop spiritually. All the children were presented with a certificate of participation and Bishop Brooks pronounced a special blessing over them.
Following the ceremony, attendees journeyed to the Old Boys’ School, where they were treated to an impressive exhibition of the children’s creative art and crafts.
The Parish of St. Mary expresses heartfelt thanks to the various persons who gave their time and talents or contributed in some way to ensure that we had a successful VBS.
