It’s Vacation Bible School
time in Southwest Texas

Youngsters gather across
region for special events,
scripture lessons

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
Some Southwest Texas children are saddling up on the ranch this summer.
Some are on safari in Africa.
Some are traveling to Jerusalem.
Some have joined the circus.
Some have donned hard hats to work at a construction site.
But all are in Vacation Bible School.
Summer means special studies for youngsters at United Methodist congregations across Southwest Texas. Here’s what a few churches are offering children in their communities:
Davey and Goliath’s Circus Spectacular came to Sinton May 31-June 3.
Youngsters at First UMC, Sinton, found out what it was like to live under the Big Top with God.
The circus comes to town in Jourdanton July 11-15. First UMC, Jourdanton, is to join the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches for this high-flying gospel adventure.
Northern Hills UMC, San Antonio, was “under construction” last week as 169 children in Construction Zone Vacation Bible School were building character like Jesus.
Construction Zone themes centered on passages in Luke. Lessons taught children how they themselves were built to be humble, obedient, faithful, caring and forgiving.
More than 500 children went on prayer safari at Asbury UMC, Corpus Christi, last week. The Kingdom of the Son Prayer Safari led kids through the Lord’s prayer.
New Fountain UMC, Hondo, goes on prayer safari July 18-22.
Schulenberg youngsters became ranch hands at Circle G Ranch Vacation Bible School June 6-10.
As Ranch House Kids, they stepped through doors at First UMC to venture into God’s word. Inside, children experienced Bible adventures intended to strengthen their relationships with Jesus.
Other Southwest Texas Conference churches that are to transform into Circle G Ranches this month and next include Alamo UMC, San Antonio, June 26-30; Lakehills UMC, July 11-15; Sierra Vista UMC, San Angelo, July 11-14; First UMC, Brownsville, July 17-21; and Lake Travis UMC, Lakeway, July 25-28.
First UMC, Weslaco, became the grassy flatlands of Africa, where children embarked on Serengeti Trek June 6-10.
They learned how to be wild about God by applying the Bible to their lives through their daily actions. Every day they added leaves to a giant tree, watching as it grew and came alive with God’s love.
The Serengeti Trek took children at First UMC, El Campo, to Africa June 12-16.
A number of other churches throughout the conferences are to take the trek this summer, too, including St. John’s UMC, Austin, and Miles UMC, both July 18-22.
Grace UMC, Corpus Christi, takes VBS kids on a Holy Land Adventure July 15-22. These children are to visit the bustling city of Jerusalem.
Each child is to join a tribe of Israel for the exploration of the community, spending much of their time in the marketplace.