Briefs

Ormond’s Calvary Christian Center unveils new Kids Center

The $1.5 million renovation was done debt-free, thanks to support from the church’s membership.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Bright colors. A playground. Dedicated classroom spaces. A brand new theater space.

Calvary Christian Center completed its $1.5 million renovation of its Kids Center last fall, and on Saturday, May 29, the church is finally celebrating its grand opening. Where there once stood a large open space with a stage, the church’s former sanctuary, has been evolved into a space to better suit the church’s purpose.

“We just wanted to have a building that looked like it was made for kids,” said Jennifer Woods, Calvary Kids pastor.

The project was a long time coming. The kids center was moved to the current building in 2010 when the new sanctuary was built, and Woods said they were thinking about renovating the building back then. But it wasn’t until four years ago that they began the process. The church broke ground on October 2019.

And then came 2020. Woods said there were a lot of question marks regarding the pandemic, but the church already had the money for the project lined up. Members had pledged funds in the beginning of the year and remained supportive.

“Our pastor said this is something that we know that we’re supposed to do,” Woods said. Calvary’s pastor is Jim Raley.

With the support in place, Calvary was able to complete construction in October 2020, and did so debt-free. Only the indoor playground and cafe didn’t open at that time due to COVID-19, which is why the church decided to wait to celebrate the center’s grand opening. The children are excited, Woods said, since they walk past the indoor playground every Sunday.

Having dedicated classroom spaces has helped with the ministry portion as well, she added. It adds a more intimate learning environment and lessens distractions.

Children, including Wood’s own, have a hard time going home every Sunday, she said. That’s how she knows they’ve achieved their purpose: building a space that the kids are safe, having fun and can grow their relationship with God.

“We can only say, ‘Look what God has done,’ because there’s so many challenges that came with 2020,” Woods said. “But it really brought hope that you could see something beautiful happening in the midst of a lot of crazy things happening.”

The center is open to the public for community and private events. Visit calvaryfl.com

Jennifer Woods, Calvary Kids pastor, and Lauren Lebron, of Calvary Christian Center.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

The children are excited to be able to use the new playground, Woods said.

Lohmans fund new science program for VCS students

Volusia County Schools is pleased to announce the establishment of the Lohman’s Museum of Arts & Sciences Field Study – a fun and engaging day of science education at MOAS for all VCS fifth and eighth graders, approximately 10,000 students.

The program is being funded by a generous donation from Lowell and Nancy Lohman to the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools. The Lohmans’ gift was presented at the School Board meeting on Tuesday, May 25, and the School Board honored them with an Inspiring Future Scientists Award.

The School Board also approved the formal agreement between VCS and MOAS to establish the new field study program, which will begin this fall.

“The Day at the Museum is designed to inspire future scientists to pursue their love of science education,” VCS Superintendent Scott Fritz said. “We are grateful to Lowell and Nancy Lohman, to the museum’s leadership, and our School Board for making this innovative learning experience possible.”

The VCS Science Department and the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach are collaborating to develop the academic program. Classes will take a bus to the museum for a planetarium show, science stage show, and other activities such as touring museum exhibits including the Giant Ground Sloth and the Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum.

The field study will be aligned with state standards, reinforcing important concepts assessed on the 5th and 8th grade Florida Statewide Assessments.

The Lohmans said they are pleased to lend their support to the new initiative.

“We owe this opportunity to provide this program to our students completely to (School Board Member) Carl Persis,” Lowell Lohman said.“We started talking about how beneficial, memorable, and impactful a trip to the planetarium would be for students.”

“What I am truly most excited about is that no child will be left behind,” Nancy Lohman said. “Financial ability will have no bearing on whether or not they get to go.”

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