Vacation Bible School

 

Winterset Community Church tried something new this summer—making a “Splash for Jesus.” More than 70 kids from the community signed up for the weeklong vacation Bible school program, keeping the church building and the lawn near John Wayne’s birthplace buzzing with activity. Divided into age groups from preschool through 6^th grade, the youngsters rotated between various activities that taught them important “splash points” such as courage, service, obedience, and faith. In one room, the children worked on arts and crafts with Charlene Reels, Melody Reels, and Angela Glass, inventing things that went along with the splashy theme; for instance water bottles filled with bright blue water and little sea creatures that became like snow globes when shaken.

 

Down the hall, a group of elementary school kids learned their Bible lesson for the day then played a close-quarters game of red light, green light with mother-daughter team Shelly and Kylie Gibson. Out in the sanctuary, kids danced and sang in the midst of beach-themed decorations including a surfing penguin and colorful beach balls. Adult and teen volunteers including Emily Unkrich, Renee and Morgan Whitlow, and Charlie and Melodie Easter led the kids through the energetic motions that accompanied the fun songs all run by technology specialist, Lance Livingston. In the back of the room, snacks—donated by members of WCC—were placed by Jess Kleemeier on plates in anticipation of the preschoolers’ arrival at the “snack shack.” And in keeping with the sea of motion, another group of students headed outdoors to recess—and there the fun was apparent for blocks around.

 

“God is pleased with our best,” encouraged activities director Sharie Bruflodt. “As long as you do your very, very best, and you’re fair, and show good sportsmanship, God will be happy. And He’ll help you find courage to try a new game.” With that, everybody stood up and huddled in. Soon the sponges were flying as kids learned a new game, how to work together, and how getting soaking wet on a hot day is actually pretty cool.

 

Sunday morning, with a unanimous, “Hit it Lance!” the children stood before the gathered crowd at WCC and gave moms, dads and friends a sample of the songs and lessons they’d learned. And not wanting their grown-ups to miss out, the kids launched half a dozen beach balls into the air and watched as the adults batted them around the room to the music. Other organizers and leaders for the week included Pastor Scott O’Conner, Youth Pastor Jay Bock, Lana McDonald, Donna Drey, Karin Van Werden, Jill Kiger, Jane Wiggins, Danine Rebelsky, Paige Henry, Kim Shaw, Kris McDonald, Josh Henry, and Nicole Seil—a huge effort by a big team to help community kids have splash of fun in the summer sun.

(Published in the Winterset Madisonian 06-20-07)