Summary: Seven local churches have united for The Wooster Downtown Vacation Bible School on June 13-16 at the First Presbyterian Church. The event will offer education about God while developing and enhancing relationships with other children. Parents are encouraged to register their kids for this unique summer opportunity.
A childs summer agenda is typically comprised of swimming pools, ice cream, bubbles, bicycles, and trips to the park.
Some parents, however, opt to include the Bible in the midst of the sun tans and sprinklers. The Wooster Downtown Vacation Bible School (VBS) is prepared to guide 4-year-olds through sixth graders in an adventure of gaining both compassion and knowledge. The event will take place on June 13-16 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on 621 College Ave. in Wooster.
The most unique aspect of the VBS is the collection of churches that are sponsoring it. Central Christian Church, DayBreak Community Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. James Episcopal Church, St. Mary Catholic Church, Trinity United Church of Christ and Zion Lutheran Church have all combined to educate the communitys children in a fun and supportive environment.
It seems like the times churches decide to work together are few and far between. This is an excellent example of how churches from different denominations, beliefs and backgrounds can discover their commonalities over their differences. Children can form new friendships with other children their own age from other churches and learn the stories of the Bible together. In addition, its great fun and supports a great cause, explained Reverend Joel Engman, Associate Pastor of Central Christian Church of Wooster.
Some of the organizers reflected on their own experiences with VBS, noting the benefits of it, and encouraging parents to register their children.
For me, as a child, VBS played a big part in shaping me into who I am today, began Richard Frazier, pastor at Daybreak Community Church. This unique collaborative effort from seven of the downtown churches offers the same opportunities I had has a child.
Parents can expect their children to learn stories from the Bible while discovering how amazing God is. They will begin to understand Gods power and how they can partake in helping others in His name.
VBS was one of the greatest childhood memories I have; I met new people, learned about God and had a lot of fun, said Emily Frazier, an organizer for the event.
The VBS can hold between 250 and 300 children. Interested parents shouldnt hesitate to register at their website, www.downtownvbs.com. Walk-ins are welcome the day of the event as well. They are also accepting donations and volunteers for the VBS.
Children will begin the day watching a black light chalk drawing put on by a volunteer from Mosaic Connection, then rotate between crafts, recreation, snack and storytelling before ending up all together for closing, explained Engman.
Engman added that the children love being with so many other kids, and the organizers enjoy watching them get to know children from other churches, while realizing that they are more similar than they are different.
This is the first year that DayBreak Community Church has been a part of the downtown VBS, and we are happy to be working with six other churches to bring the word of God to so many children in the community. There is strength in numbers as it is written in Ecclesiastes 4:12, though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken, concluded Richard Frazier.
