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Vacation Bible School

‘Trust me and let me be part of this — but you be a part of it too’

First Presbyterian Church of Holland, Minnesota, will gather for worship on Ash Wednesday. But the service will be nontraditional, and the faithful there are asking Presbyterians across the country to devote some time at the beginning of Lent to do likewise, whether they’re worshiping in person or online.

No choir during COVID-19, no problem

When the pandemic stopped her choir from singing, Kathie Mades used her creativity to write a children’s book to teach empathy and compassion.

Calling all heroes!

For each of the past few years, a trio of Korean- and English-language congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Community Church of Seattle with campuses in and around Seattle has hosted a communitywide Vacation Bible School called Toon Town. This summer, on the heels of the long and difficult coronavirus pandemic, Community Church of Seattle invites congregations across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to join for an online VBS it’s calling Hero Academy.

VBS takes Sermon on the Mount to the garden

Vacation Bible School at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis will “bee” different, in a hybrid way, this year, according to organizers. Although “maybe 75” children were expected to take part, more than 150 children — ages 4 through fifth grade — have registered for in-person VBS, and more children will participate online, June 21–25.

What to do about Vacation Bible School?

The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators will hold an encore Zoom chat, “What to do about Vacation Bible School,” at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. Part 2, a discussion around modifying traditional VBS  because of COVID-19, was scheduled after a maximum of 100 people joined in last week’s call.

Summertime ministry

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” American composer George Gershwin clearly wasn’t thinking about life in the church when he wrote his 1930s song “Summertime.” For many congregations, summertime isn’t easy. Blue skies beckon people to mow, garden or hike rather than sit in a pew on a Sunday morning. Weekend getaways and family vacations also mean fewer volunteers available to provide child care, sing in choirs and host coffee hours.