Rev. Bryce Blank, associate pastor at First UMC in Watertown, SD. Photo by jlynn studios.

It's the final day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at First United Methodist Church in Watertown, South Dakota, and Pastor Bryce Blank is in the lead. Unfortunately, the lead meant he needed to kiss a bearded dragon lizard. It was a monumental moment for him.

"Well, I guess you could call it winning. I won a chance to kiss a bearded dragon lizard," said Rev. Bryce Blank, who is in his first appointment at First UMC in Watertown. 

It was all part of Monumental VBS. Throughout five sessions, kids explored the desert southwest with different critters to grow their faith. In the first session, kids went on an adventure with Buddy, the lizard, and discovered that God loves you no matter what. Day two of the exploration featured Miley, bird or roadrunner, who told those at VBS that God is with you everywhere. On day three, Howell, the coyote, shared that God is even there when things change. God is stronger than anything was the focus for day four with Rollo, the armadillo. God is surprising was the theme for the final day with Jet the rabbit. 

Between 40 and 50 kids came to First UMC for four evening sessions. Each night everyone gathered together as a large grou for songs and celebration, and then headed out to five stations Bible adventures—the scripture focus or Bible lesson, Imagination Station—a science center, KidVid—video of the scripture focus, Red Rocks Rec—a physical activity, and Oasis Tastes—snacks connected to the scripture. Evevnigs ended with a large group closing. 

Jars for the VBS mission fundraising challenge at First UMC. Photo from First UMC's Facebook page.

Monumental giving was also part of VBS at First UMC. On day one, everyone was invited to a challenge to help raise $2,000 for uniforms for LaGonave Alive! Six adult leaders, three pastors, and three lay leaders, helping with VBS had a jar labeled with their names and photo. 

Kids put money in the jars throughout the week. The three jars for the contestants with the most money were the "winners" that got the opportunity to kiss the bearded dragon lizard. The competitors with three jars with the least amount earned the right to kiss a bunny. 

By the end week, most of the funds were raised. Then, with the greatest amount of cash in his jar, Pastor Blank kissed the bearded dragon lizard.

"There is even a video of me kissing this bearded dragon out there somewhere," said Pastor Bryce. "We still had a little way to go to meet the goal of 100 uniforms. So we reached out to the congregation and met the goal."

The VBS mission challenge at First UMC, raising funds to buy student uniforms for students attending the Rob Marchand Institute in Lagonave, Haiti, was a friendly competition with a monumental impact.

Resources:
Support LaGonave Alive! by attending Clean Comedy night on September 11
2022 Monumental VBS curriculum and resources