At Bridgeport United Methodist Church, it’s the year 51 AD in Greece as participants of the church’s Vacation Bible School follow the Apostle Paul on his journey through Athens, Galatia, Corinth and Thessalonica, among other cities.

 

“We have a make-believe Parthenon and our agora – which is the name for the Greek marketplace – and we have 12 family troops representing the 12 different churches Paul visited,” said Steve Engle, BUMC minister of discipleship, programs and hospitality. “We have leather and mosaic crafts, the Greek alphabet, Greek food and even Olympics.”

 

More than 200 children and adults have taken part in the VBS nightly, Engle said.

 

“Usually (VBS participants) are divided by age, but that isn’t the case here,” he said. “We have two adults in each group with children ranging from kindergarten through fifth grades. This provides a chance for older kids to help with younger ones and it’s just a very wonderful educational format.”

 

The hands-on experience proved very successful last year as BUMC explored The Marketplace 29 AD. The bible school format, which does not include standardized material, provides learning opportunities for children and leaders alike.

 

“It generates its own level of excitement as adults have to read and study about Paul’s travels in Greece and work together to develop a program with their own ideas,” he said.

 

Each group moves to a different “learning center” every 20 minutes, Engle said. One is manned by the United Methodist Men, teaching leather crafts in a canopy decorated with skins. In addition to the decorated canopies and specialties found inside, the travelers have come across live animals, including a rabbit and a horse.

 

Heather Compton McNally and her two children Emma and Jaxson have been attending.

 

“My kids love bible school. They've talked about it all week,” she said. “…I think with the theme being carried out to a total transformation of the church grounds and the people volunteering, it seems very real to the kids. As a volunteer, I can tell you that I see first-hand the excitement and eagerness in the kids. They all love it.”

 

McNally said organizers, including Engle and his wife Carla, have worked hard to make it a very memorable experience. It has all spawned some interesting comments and questions from her children, she said.

 

Tonight is the last night of the bible school. Community members are invited to stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. Bridgeport United Methodist Church is located on Worthington Drive, across the street from Simpson Elementary School.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy of Heather Compton McNally