Viewfinder: Growing Up Back in Time

Members of the are providing local kids a travel back in time as they sponsor their “Hometown Nazareth” Vacation Bible School this week.

If you enter the church building in the evenings, you will likely be met by volunteers in full attire of villagers in Nazareth 2,000 years ago.

“We wanted kids to feel as though they were experiencing the same things as Jesus did,” said Joanne Banks, the coordinator for this year’s VBS. “We wanted them to know how Jesus lived both back then and in our hearts today.”

This year’s program took a different turn in how the over 50 participants were grouped together.

“Instead of the regular groupings by grade, we have put a variety of different ages in a certain ‘house’ that represent different tribes,” said Banks. “They eat together, travel together, just like the real tribes in that time period.”

Banks was happy to take on the role as the program’s coordinator this year. A retired teacher, she said the role was a natural one for her. “I love planning, and the volunteers couldn’t have been more supportive,” she said.

From Eunice, a character in the Bible, making a surprise visit to Mary's house, to a synagogue teacher's lecture, to other shopkeepers performing their daily duties, the volunteers kept the children involved and in tune with the program’s focus and setting.

Situated in the sanctuary were the music leaders Lynn Brydebell and Amy McMonigle who encouraged participants to take home pre-made gift bags to collect donations for My Brother’s Pantry, a local community food bank.

“The kids are coming every night very excited,” said McMonigle. “It’s really gratifying.”