Summer school of sorts

It's summer - the time of the year when school lets out, pools open and ice cream sales go up.

But where are the children?

Well, some of them can be found hard at work studying.

A group of several hundred children and volunteers gathered at CrossRoads Fellowship earlier this week to fill their heads with knowledge.

Don't be fooled by their giggles, smiles and all-around good cheer. These vacation Bible school folks don't take learning lightly. Some of the rigorous curriculum included cookie decorating and piñata making.

CrossRoads Fellowship hosted "Take it in. Live it out." from Monday to Friday for children entering kindergarten through fifth grade - an experience children's pastor Shawn Crane hoped would be both fun and useful.

"We hope the kids learn practical things, learn to be nicer to others and learn that God loves them and made them," Crane said. "Everything - from the activities to the volunteers - is focused on helping them learning that."

The VBS program also provided a way for CrossRoads Fellowship to introduce new children to its existing children's programs, she said. Although the church has hosted "Art & Soul" camp consistently, it has been several years since the last Vacation Bible School.

"We've got kids we've never seen before and that's exciting," Crane said.

Elementary children's pastor Kristine Busse said the program featured the parables of Jesus, emphasizing the principles of those teachings and practical ways children can live out those principles in their own lives.

"We hope they take it in and live it out, just like the name suggests," she said. "The things the children learn are things they can share with their family and friends."

Vanessa Evans, a VBS volunteer and mother of four, assisted a class of children, including one of her own, who will enter second grade in the fall. She said each activity provided a fun way to reinforce the daily Bible lesson.

After learning the parable about the Good Samaritan, one activity with the second grade VBS class involved decorating First Aid kits and filling them with paper Band-Aids that each child had written ideas on for how they could help others.

To assist one table of girls, Evans asked for them to brainstorm words associated with helping others.

"I'm going to put friendship," one girl said. After a nod of agreement, several other girls at the table decided "friendship" would go on their Band-Aids too.

"It's a camp that not only keeps them busy but enriches their lives," Evans said.

The VBS program also offered church volunteers an opportunity to reach out to the community, she said.

"Parents want to go somewhere their kids are learning God's word and having a good time," Evans said. "If they see their kids enjoy it here, they'll be more interested in coming to regular church services."

John Burton, a P.E. teacher at Cavazos Elementary and a VBS volunteer, said the "Take it in. Live it out." curriculum teaches children how they can relate to a Bible character and reinforces each lesson with crafts, snacks and activities that relate back to the lesson.

By having a positive experience at church, he said, children will be motivated to continue learning about God.

"It's a positive thing for them to do in the summer and the kids are smiling," Burton said, watching a group of girls sing the VBS theme song as they decorated cards. "That's always important, too."

Vacation Bible schools

The following are some of the upcoming vacation Bible school events scheduled in Odessa:

>> Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord has scheduled its "Crocodile Dock" Vacation Bible School to begin today through Wednesday. Dinner will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and class from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the church, 1603 N. Grandview Ave. Call 362-2549.

>> The 6th & Jackson Church of Christ has scheduled its Vacation Bible School at 6:45 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday at the church, 301 E. Sixth St. Call 332-0926.

>> First Baptist Church has scheduled its "Adventure Week 2009" for kindergartners through sixth-graders from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the church, 709 N. Lee Ave. Call 337-1524.

>> Second Baptist Church has scheduled its "Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School for 4-year-old children to sixth-graders from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 20-24 at the church 711 E. 17th St. Call 337-8381.

>> Life Change Baptist Church has scheduled its "Crocodile Dock" Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon June 22-26 at the church, 1003 N. Texas Ave. Call 617-8127.

>> Sherwood Baptist Church has scheduled its "Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 19-23 at the church, 505 E. 42nd St. Call 362-0311.

>> Asbury United Methodist Church has schedule its "Crocodile Dock" Vacation Bible School for 3-year-old children to sixth-graders from 9 a.m. to noon July 27-31 at the church, 4001 E. University Blvd. Pre-registration, including a night of activities, will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 23. Call 366-4455.

>> CrossRoads Fellowship has scheduled its "Art & Soul" camp from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 3-7 at the church, 6901 E. Highway 191. Cost will be $25 and enrollment is limited. Call 368-2500.

>> St. Luke's United Methodist Church has scheduled its Vacation Bible School to run June 28 through July 2 at the church, 1601 E. 42nd St.

>> Life Unlimited Church will be presenting Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School from 6:30 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church, 4224 NE Loop 338. All kids preschool through sixth grade are welcome.
Call 362-1911 or visit www.lifeunlimitedchurch.com.

>> Sunset Heights Baptist Church has scheduled its Son Rock Kids Camp Vacation Bible School from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at the church, 2401 W. 16th St.

Camp is intended for children, ages three through sixth grade, for Bible stories, crafts, music, and food.
>> West Odessa First Baptist Church has scheduled its Vacation Bible School from July 27-31.

BIBLE STUDY

>> First Christian Church has scheduled Bible studies from 7 a.m. to
8 a.m. Wednesdays at the church, 601 N. Lee Ave.

>> The Redeemer Lutheran Church of Joy has scheduled the following weekly events at the church, 824 E. 18th St.
Sundays: Bible study on "The Bible Comes Alive" for children ages 2 to 12, "Different Belief Systems" for junior high and high school children, "Fireproofing your Relationships" for young adults ages 18 to 25 and "Spiritual Warfare" for adults, all at 9:45 a.m.
Tuesdays: 1 p.m., Bible class on "Persons of Value."
Wednesdays: Bible study for adults at 7 p.m. on "God is closer than you think."

>> Bethany Christian Church has scheduled the following Bible studies at the church, 4522 N. Everglade Ave.
Mondays: Brown Bag Bible Study at noon. Bring a lunch.
Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Adult Bible Study.

>> Unity Church of West Texas meets at 9:30 a.m. Sundays for Bible Study on "Lessons in Truth" and at
6:30 p.m. Sundays for Bible Study on "A Course In Miracles" at the church, 210 E. 12th St.

>> First United Methodist Church of Odessa has scheduled a new Community Bible Study to run at 6 p.m. Sundays at the church, 415 N. Lee Ave. Call 337-1527.