BRENHAM CHURCHES MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Churches locally and around the state have had to make many on-the-fly changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those changes certainly apply to their summer programs.
New health regulations and gathering restrictions have led several churches in Brenham to either modify their Vacation Bible School programs to accommodate more socially-distant settings or cancel them altogether.
First Baptist Church is one of the churches that will move its program to a mostly-online format. Children’s Ministry intern Preston Smith said this year’s “take-home” program will run from June 29th through July 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Students grades K-6 will receive a packet of materials including crafts and games to use throughout the program, and can also watch videos featuring skits, bible studies, and other family entertainment. A drive-thru snack will be provided daily.
Smith said this year’s program will be quite different from previous years, but the church is still excited about what it has planned for kids this year.
To register for the program, visit www.fbc-brenham.org.
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church has also incorporated an online program, holding weekly Zoom meetings every Wednesday this month at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. After each online Sunday school video, participants are given a “secret mission” and a list of materials to gather for Wednesday’s meetings, which feature activities such as bible games, art projects, and cooking projects. The program is geared for ages three and up, but anyone is welcome to participate.
Youth Minister Becky McDonald said after several months of being apart, it is great to have kids be able to interact with each other once again.
McDonald said the program will run through the end of June, but it could be extended through the end of July if the community’s response is positive. Anyone interested in getting involved in the program or getting the access information for the Zoom meetings can email McDonald at familyministry@stpaulsbrenham.org.
Meanwhile, First United Methodist Church will not be having a program this year, making the decision after taking the concerns of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and church officials into consideration. Pastor Bobbie Maltas said the church initially wanted to postpone the program, but ultimately decided to hold off until next year. She said the church will continue several other activities, but she knows they will not make up for not having a formal program this year.
Maltas said the church’s Vacation Bible School programs typically draw around 175 participants each year, with large group gatherings being a large part of the programs. She said there was no way the church could maintain social distancing for that many people with the normal activities it puts on, and putting participants into small groups would not work.