VBS Ramblings
We are in the midst of Vacation Bible School at church, a busy and fun time for me.
For those who may not know, VBS is a time-honored tradition for most Protestant churches. Well- for all I know, Catholics, Mormons, and Swedenborgians may get into the act as well. It involves a week where the children gather for crafts, music, and Bible study, all carefully planned and carried out by the laypeople of the church. For us it is a big outreach event. We promote heavily, and strongly seek for the un-churched people of the community to make connection.
A local church is having VBS, and actually charging the participants $25 apiece to participate! I have never heard of such, but apparently it has been their policy for many years. It causes me to recall, from dusty lectures in Church History, to a time when people owned their own pews in church. There would actually be a lock upon the bench, to keep others from sitting upon private property. Seems to me a $25 charge is a good way to say to those, already ambivalent toward church, “Keep Out! Trespassers Will Be Shot.”
I help to lead the worship rallies, and then basically wander around interacting with staff and kids for the rest of the time. It is fun, but I’m told I can be a pest. Although I am good at it, I am not sure that should be the role of the pastor. Anyhow, I struck up a conversation with Lawrence. He was out in the parking lot, sitting in his car waiting for his kids. We talked about the weather and baseball. He is a Yankees fan, proudly wearing his hat, which is a foolhardy stance here is Atlanta Braves territory. He did not seem to be too worried. And we talked about church and God. He and his wife work a lot. They struggle to pay bills. There is much turmoil in his life and family. He wants to go to church, and periodically makes the effort. Lawrence is a good guy with many imperfections. I can relate! And, for me, that conversation in the parking lot was worth the whole evenings’ effort of VBS. Ministry is all about people and connecting them with the Lord.
I’ll have more ramblings about the week, later.
06.24.08 (10:34 am) [
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posted by:
OldSchool (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (7:54 am)
I do not think they have Vacation Bible School in Catholic churches. I did however attend several summers during my childhood at my best friend's Lutheran church.
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (7:56 am)
We just got finished last week with othe VBS my kiddo and I attend every year - It's at our local Salvation Army ( Methodist church), where my Kiddo's classmate's Dad is the Major,(Pastor). We have a blast every year!
- ( do you know who "Chatter" is? )
- I'm really surprised that anyone charges a price of admission to VBS - especially being it's an outreach to the community. It does cost the church to put it on each year, but the one we go to takes up an offering at the end of the week on Sunday when they have the VBS graduation.
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (9:33 am)
I would think such a charge would put a damper on some, who otherwise might like to attend!. Perhaps let it be known that if they can't afford it, you have sponsers available who will gladly cover for them....ie no charge!!! and guess what...YOU are the sponser!!!!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (11:44 am)
Does God's love extend to even Yankee fans? Has He no limits?
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
06.24.08 (1:15 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
To the deepest of sinners, and even to the Yankee fan.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (1:16 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
Obviously it is a church with a closed fellowship, comfortable with an exclusive ministry to its own kind. Not a very attractive church, to me.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (1:19 pm)
Reply to: PirateGirl
We take an offering, but it is all sent away to support missions. I promote it between the boys and girls. I represent the boys, and the Music Minister represents the girls. The "loser" will have a case of jelly poured onto his head. Sounds fun. I intend to "arrange" the offering so that I do not lose. Surely such is o.k.? Sure, it is...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (1:21 pm)
Reply to: OldSchool
I imagine, at least around here where the Protestant influence is so heavy, that many of the Catholic parishes have VBS. I know their churches in this area are much more evangelical and Bible-focused than those in other parts of the country. I'm not being critical- just observant.
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (2:39 pm)
We just finished VBS last week, lots of fun, I am the balloon lady, decorate before it starts each day and make lots of balloons hats, teddybears an swords.It is unheard of to charge for VBS at my church, everything is free, plus the meal each night. It's from 6-8PM.
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (3:42 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Sounds good to me PD! ;)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (4:06 pm)
Reply to: LadyG
Balloon lady! I wish we had a balloon lady. I'll bet the kids love you.
Here's the thing about balloons in our church building. We have an alarm system that is motion sensitive. Inevitably, several balloons will float up to the ceiling and not be retrieved. In the cool of the evening the balloons will float down, and of course set off the alarm. So I'm asleep when the security firm calls my home. The alrm is blasting at ear-piercing decibals. I'm frantically trying to turn everything off and call the alarm company again, so the police do not arrive at 2 a.m. to cart me off to jail, thinking I am an intruder. And, all because of a balloon!
Having said all that, you can still fly out here anytime and be our balloon lady for the day!
posted by:
barbara (
reply)
post date:
06.24.08 (7:03 pm)
vacation bible school - what good memories that brings. and having the pastor talk you always made me feel special. so keep making those feel special - those in the parking lot, those in the halls. so glad to hear your church doesn't charge anything. wish we lived closer . . .
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (7:57 am)
yes virginia, even the catholics have VBS LOLOL.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (11:43 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Cheering for the Yankees qualifies as a sin.
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
06.29.08 (8:20 pm)
Charging for VBS? I've never heard of that. My daughter attends a different protestant denomination with her friends than our family does. She's always involved in their VBS and I was attending a parent meeting for youths involved in that and other things at this church. Now don't get me wrong, I think "her" church is very spiritual with really great people but something was said in that meeting that I had never heard of. The youth minister leading the VBS, said teenage workers for VBS would be asked to fill out an application, like a job application and interview for positions! They had so many volunteers, they had too many! My mouth fell open and I wanted to stand up and say, "Anyone who doesn't get accepted at this VBS, please come to ours, we can use you!" Of course I didn't. Sometimes I feel like an "intruder" at this church. Not that they make me feel that way, but I don't agree with everything that is done/said at that "other" denomination but I am just grateful that they accept my daughter and that she is so involved in a church. Would I rather her place her efforts in our church? Of course, but again, at least she's very active in what I know is a good church. So I am grateful.
