Stacy Altman shares the Bible lesson in the tent at Alexandria UMC's VBS. Photos courtesy of Rev. Amber Laffey.

In Alexandria, South Dakota, population 650, the only Vacation Bible School is held at the United Methodist Church. Last week, over 55 students and 25 volunteers filled the church to learn more about Jesus's love.

"Everybody waits for our Vacation Bible School, and we have all kinds of people wanting to help. Many volunteers and participants are not members of our church," said Rev. Amber Laffey, Alexandria UMC. "There were 20 youth and adult helpers this year. Some volunteers are junior high and high school students who participated in past summers as participants. They come back and volunteer so they can be part of it. That is exciting to know they want to be involved and share the love of Jesus."

Stacy Altman was the leader who coordinated the programming and volunteers. She worked with volunteers to decorate the church into a camp scene to match the selected VBS curriculum, Camp Firelight from Cokesbury.

"Stacy heads things up, and I provide support. She organizes what is needed and gets the volunteers. She does an amazing job," said Pastor Amber. "People in the community are grateful for her work and that our congregation does VBS. It is an extravagant way to share the love of Jesus and welcome everybody." 

Participants rotate through stations, a Bible lesson, a science center, crafts, games, and snacks. A tent was set up for the Bible lesson. Children gathered inside the tent to hear stories of Jesus.

Pastor Amber shared that some of the students liked being in the tent and could relate the Bible stories to their own lives. "When they were listening to the story of how Jesus got left behind in the temple, the students talked about how sometimes they have been left behind," she said. It is comforting to them to be with caring adults."

One of the unique things about the Cokesbury VBS curriculum is the science station. "We had a teacher that did a fantastic job with the science activities. The kids made soap bubbles. They also used salt and oil to make a storm model, an example of the Bible lesson on how Jesus calms the storms of life. It was amazing."

Making soap bubbles at the science station.

In an effort to be good stewards, Alexandria UMC partners with Fusion United Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota for VBS. Fusion buys the digital curriculum and Alexandria UMC shares their decorations and any left over supplies. Fusion holds VBS later in the summer.

The music teacher from the local school led the music at the beginning and end of each day. "We started every morning with great music. She was a wonderful leader. The kids just loved it," shared Pastor Amber.

VBS at Alexandria UMC took place Tuesday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. The preschool through sixth-grade students put on the last day a program was held. 

"The whole town came. The kids said they loved the music, crafts, and decorations, being surrounded by caring adults, and being with each other." said Pastor Amber.