VBS Wonders

It's January and people are complaining about the freezing cold temperatures.  Meanwhile, I am thinking about Vacation Bible School (VBS) in July.

This year, the theme of our VBS is "Workshop of Wonders," where we will explore imagining, building, growing, working, and walking with God.  I'm very excited and hope that we will have lots of volunteers and children this year.  It's always a week full of excitement and it's a wonderful opportunity to share God's love with the children who come.  http://2014.cokesburyvbs.com/

This year, we are planning full days for the children, 9am to 3pm.  During July and August when school is out, summer camps are a great way to engage children while their parents/guardians are working.  Creating a full day program lets families know that we want to support them, and caring for children for a week during the summer is one way we can do that.

In the ninth chapter of Mark, after the disciples had been arguing with one another as to who was the greatest, we read: "Then [Jesus] took a child and put it among them, 'Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'" (37, NRSV)

This is the first of two times that Jesus holds up a child as the ideal.  The second time, after the disciples have spoken harshly to some children, Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." (10:14b-15 NRSV)

How we care for the children in our midst can say a lot about how we care for those who are vulnerable.  As people of faith, we talk about caring for the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, and the sick, but children are some of the most vulnerable people and they are always with us.

Through programs like VBS, Sunday School, children's choirs, and more, we can show kindness, compassion, respect, and love for the children we encounter.