Vacation Bible School

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.

Awakening a sense of mission in our children

Children and teens swarmed around First United Presbyterian’s churchyard, their laughter and chatter almost as loud as the buzzing of the summer mosquitoes that swarmed along with them. Poles were scattered on the grass, as were piles of shapeless pieces of neon orange nylon, black tarp and Army green canvas.

Vacation Bible School project helps hungry neighbors in Illinois

First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, Illinois is not a large church, but it has a big heart. Over its 175-year history church members have always given back to the community says Pastor Paul Spangler. But a few years ago, the church tried something different for Vacation Bible School and the results proved beneficial for many residents in the small town as well as the church itself.