Written by Whitley Kilcrease

‘Dare to go deep with God’

Bits of rice and glitter covered a circular table and Elmer’s Glue dribbled slowly down the orange top that had been left open. The room was filled with excited chatter of children with a potentially untidy project at hand.

Arts and crafts is the uncontested favorite among participants at the First United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School. The theme this year is “Operation Overboard: Dare To Go Deep With God,” and participants have been treated to many adventures in “God’s underwater universe.”

“We’re learning things about the ocean and how to dive deep into God’s love,” Trish McVay, director of VBS, said.

VBS is open to all kids from Kindergarten to fifth-grade and is divided into six different classes.

“Today we sang songs, did water experiments to teach us about God and made rain sticks,” Carrie Lee, a VBS volunteer, said.

One of the most popular activities this year included “water science” projects, such as constructing lava lamps from oil, water, glitter and dye. However, most participants favored arts and crafts where the children made rain sticks from cardboard tubes, paper and rice. When finished, the sticks will mimic the sound of rain.

“I really liked art because I paint a lot,” Hannah Sparrow, 7, third-year participant at VBS said. “Today we made and decorated our rain sticks.”

Dent Brown, 5, has participated for two years and also said his favorite was arts and crafts.

“I really liked making the rain sticks,” Brown said. “But we learned about God, too, and how amazing he is.”

Other activities included games and recreation, as well as discussions about Bible stories such as “Noah and the Ark.” Participants were also treated to light refreshments consisting of fruit, cookies and juice.

Jada Anderson, 7, first-year participant enjoyed every activity and couldn’t choose a favorite.

“I liked all of it!” Anderson exclaimed.

VBS continues at FUMC throughout the week, ending at noon on Friday. For more information, contact Trish McVay at 566-4400.