Vacationing with God

By Kevin M. Smith

Anna Faltermeier/The Kearney Courier
Jonathon Rinehart, left, and his sister Kayla Rinehart, center, shout Bible songs July 8 during vacation Bible school at the Church of the Annunciation in Kearney. Vacation Bible school was July 7 to 11 for preschoolers through fifth-graders.

What do science, the backyard, tropical islands and Jesus all have in common?

Vacation Bible school.

Several local churches kicked off the vacation Bible school season last week and more have activities in coming weeks.

Local churches offer a variety of themes and activities for children in the area.

Last week, Church of Annunciation in Kearney had its vacation Bible school with a “God’s Big Backyard” theme.

“It’s basically working on service,” said Diana Page, organizer of vacation Bible school at Church of Annunciation.

She said that includes service for family, friends, neighbors, the community and Jesus. The kids attending vacation Bible school made cards for residents at a local nursing home, collected pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House and cleaned up the church grounds.

About 80 kids pre-school through fifth-grade age attended in addition to about 50 helpers.

“I think it helps focus kids on what is Jesus is asking us to do as Christians,” Page said, “but it’s done in fun-filled themes.”

Themes and times vary at the churches. Church of Annunciation had its vacation Bible school in the mornings last week. First Christian Church had a science theme, specifically “Group’s Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power,” in the evenings last week.

The vacation Bible school concluded with Associate Pastor Mark Willis and vacation Bible school organizer GiGi Leighr getting slimed because the attendance exceeded the set goals.

“I’m just excited that the kids and adults get that excited about it,” Willis said.

The first year of vacation Bible school at the First Christian Church’s current location there were just 73 kids, the next year there were 108. So last year the goal was for 125 kids to attend and if they did, Willis would kiss a pig (to go with the ranch theme). The total last year was 147 kids, so Willis kissed a pig.

“I thought that was a big jump,” Willis said.

This year’s goal was 175 and Willis would get slimed. On the first day there were 171 so they increased the goal to 200 and added Leighr, who teaches at Southview Elementary School, to the slime list. On Friday, there were 208 kids at vacation Bible school. And they got slimed.

Leighr had one word to describe it.

“Gooey,” she said as she tried to wipe it off.

The secret slime ingredients: lime Jell-O, flour and water, according to Willis.

“It was gross,” Willis said.

Therrsa Gilpin poured the slime on the Willis and Leighr.

“It’s kind of gross isn’t it?” Gilpin said. “But the kids love it.”

The vacation Bible school program is more than just kids stuff, too.

“It’s not only for the kids, it’s for the adults as well,” Page said. “The adults get as fire up as the kids do.”

Pam Bier volunteered to help with vacation Bible school at Church of Annunciation when her kids were going to vacation Bible school, but was on a hiatus until her grandchildren started going.

“I think the reason for all of us being here is to share our faith,” Bier, a retired school teacher said. “I enjoy retouching these kids’ lives … I’m reconnecting with the youth of our parish.”

The kids said they enjoyed the vacation Bible school activities.

“You get to do a lot of fun stuff,” Connor Keim, 10, said, noting his favorite was the games outside.

He said he learned several Biblical stories at vacation Bible school.

Others said they have learned to serve, like Grace Burkemper, 8, of Kearney. Her favorite part of vacation Bible school was crafts.

“I like making things,” Burkemper said.

Another camp:

- First United Methodist Church in Kearney; “Jerusalem Market Place” 

- 9 a.m. to noon, July 28 to Aug. 1. The registration deadline is July 20. 

- For more information, call 628-5560.

Kearney Editor Kevin M. Smith can be reached at 628-6010 or kevinsmith@npgco.com.