All I Ever Really Needed to Know, I Learned at VBS

The title of this newsletter article is borrowed from Robert Fulghum who wrote the poem, “All I ever really needed to know I learned in kindergarten.”  Fulghum continues, “Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand box at nursery school.”  His poem goes on to explain the beauty of sharing, playing fair, returning things to where you found them, washing your hands and taking naps.  How and why did we ever get away from afternoon cookies & milk and a nap?

Most first time commitments to Christ take place during middle school.  Programs like   Christian Summer Camps and VBS have a lot to do with preparing young people to engage with matters of faith, church and the Scripture.  One of the more challenging “hoops” that seminary students seeking ordination have to jump through is passing the bible content exam.  I don’t take standardized tests very well and I had to work really hard to pass this one.  Plus, students have to pay a fee each time they take it, so I figured I better pass it on the first try!  Most of my classmates did not seem very concerned about passing this exam and when I asked them how in the world they knew so much about so many different biblical characters, without fail they would answer, “Sunday School when I was a kid” or “Vacation Bible School.”  While I have lead and worked at a couple of different VBS programs over the years I never attended one as a kid.  Maybe that’s why I had to work so hard to pass the   bible content exam.  For those of you that would like to try your hand at a seminary level   bible content exam you can take practice tests on-line at http://www.whitneyhq.com/biblecontent/.

This year VBS will take on an Egyptian theme focusing on Joseph and how God was at work throughout Joseph’s many wild adventures.  Soon this church will be filled with crazy screaming kids and adults dressed in Egyptian garb chasing them around while hoping they learn a little something about God.  A biblical story connected to a different theme provides the backdrop of each day.

• Day One – God Gives Us Hope

• Day Two – God Gives Us Special Abilities

• Day Three – God Gives Us Wisdom

• Day Four – God Gives Us Forgiveness

• Day Five – God Gives Us a Family

I am looking forward to VBS this year.  I am looking forward to hearing the great questions little ones often ask.  I am looking forward to the honesty that young people bring to matters of faith.  And I am looking forward to snack time.  If you are able, please consider being a part of this wonderful ministry of our church.  Contact Diana Rotkis if you are interested akrtks@ak.net or 929-0465.  You will be blessed.

Pastor Karlin

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