Trinity Presbyterian Church to Resume Annual Vacation Bible School on its 45th Anniversary

NOVATO, CA – When Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) first organized on May 13, 1971, it held a Vacation Bible School that summer. After that, it continued to hold Vacation Bible Schools regularly for many years. For various reasons, the church eventually stopped holding the annual event.

This Friday marks the church’s 45th anniversary as a congregation serving Novato and the surround area. As a part of the reflection on the church’s history, the congregation has become renewed in its vision to host a Vacation Bible School for the children in the community. Rev. W. Reid Hankins, the current pastor of Trinity, further made the connection between the school and the church’s history: “Trinity was first formed with a great desire to reach out to the young people in this community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Early in our history the church experienced a sizeable influx of families with young children, and it naturally made sense to host a Vacation Bible School. But then the kids grew up, moved away, and the church experienced a period with few children. However, now that God has brought in some new families with children into our church, we don’t want to disregard this renewed opportunity to minister to the young people in our area.”

As Trinity resumes its annual Vacation Bible School, they will have some help. The First Orthodox Presbyterian Church of San Francisco, a sister church from their denomination, is sending experienced leaders to help augment Trinity’s resources in conducting the school this year. Hankins expressed his exuberance at this, saying, “What a wonderful answer to prayer that our fellow saints from the San Francisco congregation can help us with their experience to restart our VBS program in Novato!”

The school will be held daily Tuesday, June 21 through Friday, June 24 from 9:30 am to 1 pm at the facility of the Seventh Day Adventists at 495 San Marin Drive at Simmons Lane. The program is for children ages 4 through 12, to be divided into three groups based on age. The school will have a nautical theme, including an exploration of the book of Jonah along with singing, games, contests, and a mystery voyage. Lunch will be provided. The mystery voyage will include a field trip to the Flying M Ranch in Novato where kids will enjoy horseback riding and other fun ranch activities. The school will also utilize in part the Summer Seaquest curriculum published by VBS Reachout Adventures. The closing ceremonies on Friday will include a chance for parents to see what the kids have learned while enjoying some refreshments. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited, so families are encouraged to RSVP to reserve their child’s spot. For more information or to RSVP, interested parties should either call the church office at 415-897-3410 or go online to www.trinityopcnovato.org/vbs.

Trinity meets regularly on Sundays at the facility of the Seventh Day Adventists at 495 San Marin Drive at Simmons Lane. The Sunday worship service is at 11 am, with adult and children Sunday School classes at 10 am.