
DATE: Thursday, June 19, 1997               TAG: 9706180229

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:  102 lines

SUMMER IS TIME FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLSOME OF THE CHANGES INCLUDE CLASSES HELD IN THE EVENING SO ENTIRE FAMILIES CAN PARTICIPATE.

Vacation Bible School is a favorite summertime tradition like homemade ice cream and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

The movement began over 100 years ago as a program to teach young children the stories of the Bible in a structured, but fun and relaxed classroom setting. Today the basic tradition goes on, but the form has changed some to more effectively meet the needs of a changing world.

This week's Vacation Bible School at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Suffolk shows the new and creative face of a 1990's VBS. For example, this VBS is an evening program from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. weeknights.

``What's really exciting is that working parents and especially men have an opportunity to be involved,'' noted VBS co-director Wendy Neal. ``Some of our classes this year even have married couples sharing the teaching,'' Neal said.

Westminster's VBS has taken an upbeat theme approach by transforming the church into a Medieval village complete with banners, torch-illumined courtyards, a drawbridge and a castle for the merry men and ladies.

``There are lots of visual aids to get all the senses involved,'' noted Westminster's associate pastor Tim Meyer. ``It's great for kids and helps to reinforce what they're learning.''

Each evening VBS teachers, costumed in Medieval-style tunics and Robin Hood-type hats will lead their classes on Medieval adventures involving music, drama, games and crafts. As part of the Medieval theme, each student receives a ``crown'' and can earn ``jewels'' to add to the crown by completing various Bible-related assignments throughout the week.

``Another strength of this VBS is its strong Scriptural theme, `The King Is Coming,' '' Meyer said. ``It's about God working with his people according to covenants, the primary one being our covenant with Christ,'' Meyer explained.

``We want kids to come to know the Lord,'' Neal added. ``We're really excited about this theme because it teaches the very basics of theology.''

Each evening as children arrive at VBS, they met together for a Medieval drama and music. Then age groups disburse to their assigned Home Bases (classrooms) for a Scripture-related study. There are theological stories about creation, the fall of man, salvation and a new heaven and earth. But these themes are communicated in a modern context through the adventures of Prince Alexander and his servant, Joey, in the Covenant Kingdom. A confrontation with a fire-breathing dragon adds a touch of adventurous fantasy to the week's study.

Each night, at the sound of a trumpet blast, groups leave their Home Bases for various outdoor courtyard stations where they participate in Medieval games, crafts and music.

The grand finale of the week will be a closing drama on Saturday at 11 a.m. and a family picnic for those involved in the week-long program. Contributions, collected during VBS in an antique ``needs'' box, will be used to buy school supplies for children in Ecuador. MEMO: Westminster Presbyterian Church is at 312 E. Constance Road in

Suffolk. Call 539-0540 for additional information about the ministries

of the church. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by TRUDY CUTHRELL

At Westminster Presbyterian, Carrie Jo and Peter Speak attend class

in a ``Medieval village.''

Graphic

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Other local churches will be hosting Vacation Bible School programs

throughout the summer. Contact these churches for registration or

further information:

Magnolia United Methodist Church, 1764 Wilroy Road, June 16-20, from

6:30-8:45 p.m. Call 538-8552.

Courtland Baptist Church, 22264 Main St., Courtland, June 22-26 for