Tick, Tick, Tick…
Launch day is approaching, but there are still plenty of opportunities to participate in “The Garden Project,” our 2026 Community VBS.
We will host “The Garden Project” from July 26th–29th, beginning each evening at 6:00 pm. St. Matthews AME Zion and St. Paul’s Lutheran churches of Sewickley, as always, are sponsoring the event along with SUMC.
As we step into July, there are still plenty of opportunities for registration, volunteering, prayer, Bible study, and photographs.
Registration and Volunteering
All the necessary information, including links to registration and volunteering, is available here on our website.
We offer programming in three age groups: pre-Kindergarten, students entering Kindergarten through fifth grade, and students entering middle school (grades 6–8).
Registration is free to all children and youth from any church, school district, or community. There is no registration deadline, but it helps the team prepare if you register soon.
Prayer
“The Garden Project” team shared a 12-week prayer plan on Mother’s Day, and all are welcome to join us over the final four weeks. Here are the suggested prayer prompts:
Week of July 5th: In the wake of Independence Day, pray for our neighbors and communities.
Week of July 12th: Pray for pastors and church leadership in our communities.
Week of July 19th: Pray for “The Garden Project” volunteers as they prepare.
Week of July 26th: Pray for VBS children and youth to see God in new ways.
Bible Study
The VBS team is creating a four-week at-home Bible study to help prepare us for VBS. Each week, beginning July 2nd, we will study a different passage from Pastor Hannah’s “The Garden Project” curriculum. Lessons will be shared through a weekly email. There will be questions and challenges with each lesson.
The Bible study will be offered to all VBS volunteers. Anyone, inside or outside of our church family, who wants to participate should send a note to Bill Utterback.
Photographs
If you took one of our tomato or pepper plants home on Mother’s Day, or any time in May, send us a photo of the plant in its new home on your porch, patio, stoop, or garden. We want faces in the photos as well, especially if those faces belong to children and youth.
We will cover the bulletin board in the Simpson Room with your photos during VBS week.
We would also like to know when you begin harvesting your tomatoes and peppers, and if you have found ways to share them.
Send your photographs and updates to Mandy Williams, our SUMC Education Coordinator.
Tending the Garden
The VBS Garden Project Team is asking for volunteers to help water the potted garden plants leading up to VBS. This is a great opportunity for a fun family project! A watering can will be available beside the plants, and you can use the outside faucet located by Door #11 (right by the garden). Before watering, please check the soil first. If it feels fully saturated, no watering is needed. If it rains on your scheduled day, no watering is needed!
Help Us Make VBS Magical!
Our VBS Decorating Committee is gearing up to create an amazing experience for our kids, and we’d love your help! Each Thursday evening in July (2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd), the decorating committee will gather from 6:00–9:00 pm to create our garden. We’re looking for volunteers to help create and decorate for our upcoming event, and we’d love to have you involved! Whether you enjoy crafting, arranging, or painting, there’s a place for you! If you’re interested or want to learn more, please reach out to Mandy Williams with any questions.
VBS is still accepting pool noodles of all colors and long cardboard tubes/wrapping paper tubes for decorating.
VBS Garden Prep Party
Join us for the second installment of the SUMC Summer Lawn Party Series. Meet us outside on July 19th from 10:00–11:00 am between the services, where you can help us cultivate our community garden for a fun-filled celebration in preparation for “The Garden Project” VBS! (If it rains, find us in the Basement Social Hall.) Reach out to Mandy Williams with any questions.