By LORETTA FULTON

Summer is quickly approaching and that means it’s time for “Space Blast,” “Passport to Peace,” “Be Strong & Courageous,” and the many other Vacation Bible School themes that are popular this year.

Most churches are back to the traditional VBS format after the COVID shutdown two years ago and some experimentation with new formats last summer. However, some are shunning the traditional and going with different formats.

A year ago, First Central Presbyterian Church, and others, tried a one-day VBS. It worked well enough, but his year sessions will be held two days, said Grace Sosa, coordinator of children’s ministry.

“I surveyed volunteers after last year’s VBS,” Sosa said, “and most of them recommended a Friday night and Saturday morning instead of all day on Saturday.”

Sosa is honoring that request, with Vacation Bible School set for 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, July 29, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 30. 

First Central Presbyterian, and at least a couple of other churches, will include a missions project in VBS. Children attending VBS at First Central will take part in Nurture Nolan by packing bags for children entering the foster care system.

Children attending Vacation Bible School at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church will collect money for Love & Care Ministries. VBS workers also can sign up online for a meal starting at 4:45 p.m. each day of VBS, June 5-9. Theme will be “Created in Christ, Designed for God’s Purpose.” Sessions will be 6-8:30 p.m. each day.

Wylie United Methodist Church also has a missions component in its Vacation Bible School. Children will pack shoeboxes and collect money for Operation Christmas Child, an annual event sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. Older children attending VBS will take part in mission outreach at the Food Bank of West Central Texas. 

Aldersgate United Methodist Church is doing something entirely different. Instead of the traditional summer Vacation Bible School, sessions are scheduled twice during the year–three days during the week of Thanksgiving and three days during spring break.

“By doing this, we are able to offer our working families childcare,” said Cheri Bates, children’s director at Aldersgate.

Southern Hills Church of Christ, too, is opting for a change of pace, said Holly Racca, children’s minister. Two Kid Quest Day Camps will be held instead of the traditional Vacation Bible School.

“This summer, rather than doing a VBS, we’ll have two day camps for children–one for elementary students and one for preschool students,” Racca said.

The camp for elementary students, kindergarten-fourth grade, will be held June 6-9. The session for preschool kids, ages 2-5, will be July 11-13.

Vacation Bible School for all ages, children through adults, is scheduled for June 6-8 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. Theme will be “Built to Last Forever.”

“An intergenerational team is planning Scripture, stories, recreation, art, snacks, music, and more,” the church website states.

VBS will lean into the annual Children’s Art and Literacy Festival (CALF), set for June 9-11 in downtown Abilene. VBS will use one of the books featured in the festival, Hello Lighthouse, by Sophie Blackall. Scriptures about Jesus as the Rock and the Light of the World will be incorporated.

Following is a list of some Abilene churches that will host Vacation Bible School:

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST
Where: 602 Meander St.
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 6-8
Theme: “Built to Last Forever”
Registration: https://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org/vbs

SOUTHERN HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST
Where: 3666 Buffalo Gap Road
When: June 6-9 for children in kindergarten through fourth grade and July 11-13 for children ages 2-5
Theme: “Make Waves: What You Do Today Can Change the World Around You”
Registration: https://www.sohillschurch.org/events

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 871 Woodlawn Drive
When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. July 17; 6-8 p.m. July 18; 6-8 p.m. July 19; 6-8 p.m. July 20
Theme: “Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness”
Registration: www.trinityabilene.com

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 1333 N. Third St. 
When:  9 a.m.-noon May 31-June 2; 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 3
Theme: “Created in Christ, Designed for God’s Purpose”
Registration: https://fbcabilene.org/media/forms

LYTLE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 1125 E. Industrial Blvd.
Whene: 6-8:30 p.m. June 5-9
Theme: Spark Studio
Registration: Call 695-6533  

FIRST CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Where: 400 Orange St. 
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, July 29; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 30
Theme: “Passport to Peace”
Registration: https://vbspro.events/p/events/530

PIONEER DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 701 S. Pioneer Drive
When: 6-8:30 p.m. June 5-9
Theme: “Created in Christ, Designed for God’s Purpose”
Registration: www.pioneerdrive.org

WYLIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Where: 3430 Antilley Road
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 12; 9 a.m.-noon June 13, 14, 15
Theme: “Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness”
Registration: www.wyliemethodist.com

HILLCREST CHURCH OF CHRIST
Where: 650 E. Ambler Ave.
When: 6-7:30 p.m. June 12-15
Theme: “Be Strong & Courageous, Do Not Be Afraid”
Registration: https://hillcrest.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/262/responses/new

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Where: 5125 Antilley Road
When: July 25-28
Theme: “Space Blast: Even the Stars Praise His Name”
Registration: http://www.fccabilenetx.com/documents/other/vbs%20registration%20form%202022.docx

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 2300 S. 20th St.
When: 6-8 p.m. June 6-10
Theme: “Kookaburra Coast: Awesome Adventures in God’s Glory”
Registration: https://www.faithbaptistabilene.com/vbs-2022-registration.html

Loretta Fulton is editor of Spirit of Abilene