Spiritual success for families during VBS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Foster
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Hanscom children came together for a week of songs, activities, worship and crafts during the chapel's annual Vacation Bible School Aug. 5 to 9.

VBS is a program for kids ages 5 through fifth grade that incorporates fun with Bible lessons and includes both Protestant and Catholic congregations. This year's theme was "Oikos," which according to Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Gorton, means home.

"This program is important because it invests in the most important resource for most families, which is the kids," said Gorton. "It's an investment in those young lives so they can grow and understand faith and spirituality. They can begin to build that foundation they will have for the rest of their lives."

Even though some of the families attend services off base, VBS is open to all the children from Hanscom. Families can also use the time to become familiar with the chapel and the services they offer.

Each day of the week starts off with the children attending an opening celebration with singing and dancing. They are then split into their individual groups, or oikos, and participate in a small Bible study session. Following the study session, the kids start a rotation of games, snacks and crafts. The daily gathering concludes with everyone joining together again for singing and dancing.

"I think it's a really great program because my two daughters enjoy being with all the other kids," said Nicole Anderson, the parent of two VBS students. "This is one is one of their favorite times during the summer. They can come here and play games and they were both pretty happy that they made new friends on the first day."

With 82 kids signed up for the week-long event, many volunteers and a lot of outside help was required to set up, plan and carry out the tasks to guarantee success.

Gorton said there were more than 30 volunteers on the roster that would help out at various times during the week.

Emma Ferguson, a junior at Bedford High, is volunteering her time to help make the week a success.

"I think it's important that the children learn about God and they can do that by coming to VBS," she said. "I love working with the kids and because I want to be a teacher when I'm older, this also helps me prepare for that."

Valerie Howe, Vacation Bible School director, started planning for the week-long VBS around two months ago. She was in charge of all the prep work, recruiting volunteers, selecting and obtaining the materials and ensuring the week goes as smoothly as possible.

"We know the summer is a busy time for a lot of people," said Gorton. "Vacation Bible School gives families another option, outside sports and other activities, to focus on the spiritual aspect of their lives. It gives them the spiritual foundation which is important in the community because VBS brings families together from multiple faith groups to celebrate faith and God."

Isadora Geiss, a VBS student, explained what she was enjoying about the week.

"I really like that you get to learn about Jesus and Paul," she said..

Another student, Katherine Gorton, said she enjoys being with her friends and doing all the crafts.

The chapel also offers other programs that aim to strengthen the family unit. Upcoming events include the Trunk or Treat Fall Festival in October and a new family event that will be held on Wednesday nights and will involve a meal and spiritual studies.

For more information, call the chapel at 781-225-5501.