VBS Teaches Religion ‘In a Fun Way’

By Kendra Bobowick

Practicing for their “Inside Out & Upside Down On Main Street” vacation bible school show in early August were fourth- and fifth-grade students crowded before their cardboard cutout stage set.

A banner in front read, “Kids at Work,” and make-believe street names included Gratitude Avenue, Compassion Circle, and Forgiveness Lane. The children filled the church hall as they practiced songs and skits during the Newtown Ecumenical Vacation Church School held at the United Methodist Church in Sandy Hook center this month.

Seated at arts and crafts tables, enjoying snack time in the lower recreation room, or playing games outdoors were other campers passing their hot summer mornings with friends. Visiting the campers at their activities was co-director Kathryn Wolf, who said, “The whole point is to learn about God in a fun way.” Ms Wolf and Music Director Sue Vogelman both watched as the younger children enjoyed snacks and a skit performed by youth helpers Elizabeth Wolf, Madeline Marlin, and Claire Beiter. Barb Sibley walked the room offering quick question-and-answer lessons to the children.

In the church lot with foam balls in hand, campers played Rescue Dodge Ball while Good Samaritans assisted those tagged by a ball. Indoors and working on crafts were fifth- and sixth-graders painting ceramic piggy banks. Kayla McClay’s pig was red, while Anna Steare decorated hers in polka dots. Erin Kowalski turned her pig purple, while Kayla Licursi added the letter M to her pig. Friends Ben Schmid-Tharnish and AJ Salaris laughed at AJ’s orange “devil pig.” Tristan Filiato sat at the head of one table dipping his paintbrush into blue and purple colors to decorate his pig.