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Summer 'Sunday school' sizzles
By JEAN JOHNSON Considering how many churches offer vacation Bible school sessions during the summer, it might seem easy to put such programs together. Not so. First, the director of the event must research, locate and purchase a program that suits the needs of children roughly 3 to 12 years old. Second, participants must be registered. Third, supplies must be purchased so participants can create various crafts. Last, volunteers (adult and youth) must be recruited to assist the director. This may be the most difficult task of all. Two weeks ago, First United Methodist Church in Brooksville conducted its vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon. The theme was "God's Great Gallery" and the back of the stage was decorated to look like an art gallery. Suzanne Zipperer, who directed the event, said every day participants would recognize a different "wow" phrase; i.e., God is an awesome creator, Jesus is powerful, God is with us. "Every day we used different (theme) colors," said Zipperer, the pastor's wife, "(and) we used sign language with different songs." Zipperer said on the last two days they created a petting farm with ducks, rabbits, goats and two calves. The puppet Mallory the Mouse would ask children questions to ensure they understood the day's program. The offering donated by the 90 children benefited a mission program that sends animals to communities in need of food in addition to eggs and chickens. The cost to conduct the vacation program was close to $600, including the program, T-shirts, crafts and snacks. Eden Baptist Church, also in Brooksville, conducted its vacation Bible school during the past week with more than 100 children. Many of the participants attend Eden's Sunday school classes and the preschool. This year's theme was "Amazon Outfitters -- on expedition with the one true God." The day featured a "rally worship," which included pledges to the Bible, the Christian flag and the American flag. Everyone sang Christian songs, after which there was an offering that went to the children's Baptist home in Lakeland, said director Mary Gene Patrick. After the rally, participants broke into groups. Each group rotated into a different room for about 30 minutes: Bible study, crafts, recreation and music. Then they had snacks. The last 30 minutes included a followup on Bible study and reciting: "Admit you're a sinner and that you need to repent and turn away from your sins. Believe Jesus Christ is God's son and accept God's gift. Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord." A different sort of ABCs. It cost about $950 to run the Bible school. Although $1,000 was budgeted for the event, Patrick said many of the teachers paid for supplies out of their own pockets. Patrick recruited 27 volunteers, including the pastor, the Rev. Damont Drake. Elaina and Matthew Browning are among the youth group volunteers who work with younger children. Elaina, who is bound for 10th grade at Hernando High School, said she volunteers because she "like(s) little kids." She said she had no problem getting the children to follow her instructions. In her third year as a volunteer, she said that perhaps participating in VBS for many years and her experience in babysitting have helped her volunteer work. Matthew, 13, and going into eighth grade at Parrott Middle School, said he has been volunteering for about two years. "It gives me something to do. Most of the time it can be fun and the snacks are pretty good." Matthew agreed with his sister that VBS involvement has probably helped him as a volunteer youth leader. And, yes, he said, he will return next year. First Church of the Nazarene, Spring Hill, is probably the only church that conducts its vacation Bible school in the evening. Participants 3 years old through sixth grade will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., July 22-26. Preregistration will be conducted in July, and director Peggy Breen is hoping to have at least 50 participants. Why is the program held at night? "We have a large preschool and they use parts of the building we would be using for VBS," Breen said. "We're not always able to integrate the two, and sometimes the parents of the preschoolers don't want their children to be involved." Besides that, she said: "Some of the volunteers work during the day, and so we solve both problems by having it at night." The only costs involved, said Breen, will be about $100 for the program, and she hopes to recruit at least 20 volunteers.
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