Do you know what my favorite part of summer was when I was a little kid? No, it wasn't that school was out. I was one of those obnoxious kids who couldn't wait to get back to school. OK, so I liked school, it's but mainly because I lived in the sticks where, literally, only one other kid my age lived within a mile of my house (that may actually be hyperbole, but I'm just gonna leave it there for effect).
My favorite part of summer was VBS! Because we got to go to church, but it wasn't MY church, it was the Methodist church. And we got to play in the church basement, but it wasn't MY church basement-the one I knew all the ins and outs of-it was the Methodist church basement!
Our church had lots of VBS kids but not so many VBS volunteers, so my small Episcopal church teamed up with this huge Methodist church down the street, figuring many hands made light work. I liked this because I got to see kids other than my one friend, my annoying baby sister wasn't constantly underfoot (full disclosure, my annoying baby sister is now a gem), and because the Methodist church had a pool. Not that we were going to get to use the pool during VBS, I just really hoped I would meet a new friend who would invite me to their pool-party birthday. My mother said I shouldn't be envious of the pool, and that I didn't need a pool to be close to God. But she never said you had to not have a pool, and a seven-year-old can dream.
VBS is a wonderful summer memory for me. And I was looking forward to teaming up with Bethlehem Lutheran to help create a wonderful VBS experience for your kids this year too. Yet here we are, still not gathering and missing all the arts and crafts, snacks, and outdoor time with old and new friends. But then, in swoops Constance Mithelmen, our youth director who also has a secret identity as Bethlehem Lutheran's Family Minister. Okay, it's not so secret, but she is a superhero.
Constance put together a delightful virtual VBS program called "God at Work" that I think you and your children will love. You can do it every day for five days, or at whatever pace works for you.
Days one and two are up now, and days three through five will be posted soon. You might want to check the
supply list before you start. Most of the stuff you probably have on hand, but I wouldn't want you to get caught unprepared!
I know it's different, I know it's another summer tradition that is just a little off this year. But the fun of VBS is playing and snacking in God's love outside, and that can be done just as easily in your own back yard as at church! Enjoy your time together this week.
Much love,