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Day 1
The 'stage' is set! All the players know their part, and the storytelling props are ready.
I've compared VBS to putting on a stage production only because that's what it feels like. I thought of another analogy, like team sports, but that didn't seem appropriate. With a team, there is hours and hours of practice, but we've had no practice. Everything will be done as if for the first time. It starts at 6pm tonight.
We've had no rehearsal either, although each adult station leader has a role to play. They have read what they have to do, and they've gathered the materials and supplies they'll need to do it. There's a Games leader, a Crafts leader, a Music leader, and a Snacks leader. Each of them will spend 20 minutes with the kids, teaching them something new related to the story and Bible point of the day. The Storyteller will also have 20 minutes to tell the story, and the Finale leader will have 20 minutes to pull it all together at the end of the evening before sending the kids home with a prayerful word and a daily challenge.
After today's church service, a few will meet with me later in the afternoon to prepare the fellowship hall for the Crafts activities and the Cantina Snacks, and to decorate the lobby for Registration and the Sanctuary for the Fiesta Finale. We'll discuss schedule rotations, which will depend upon the number of children who show up, and other pertinent details.
When Jesus told a story, he had no props. He was surrounded by them in his time. The people who heard his stories were familiar with the language and the symbols of the day.
When we (at VBS) tell a story about Jesus, his disciples, or the people he healed or brought back from the dead, we use modern day symbols, while trying to capture a hint of the culture of Israel 2000 years ago. We do this by having the storytellers wear a Bible times costume, lovingly made by a couple of grandmothers in our church. Usually, that is nothing more than a lightweight robe or tunic. The room the kids enter is dimly lit, and various props are set up to create an 'other place', which varies from story to story. One day, they'll be in a cave, another day at the home of a Lazarus' best friend, and another day, at the home where the men lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof so Jesus could heal him. Each story has its own atmosphere to help tell it.
I may not get back to this blog again until much later tonight, or early tomorrow morning for our first day's account.
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Makes me want to be a part of your VBS audience! It all sounds so wonderfully put together, and I feel as though the children are going to walk away, every day, actually learning something.. taking the lesson home with them. I can feel it, just by what you have written here.
Can't wait to hear the first story, and how it went!
Hugs,
Jackie
http://journals.aol.com/siennastarr/Hopefloats/ -
What a wonderful thing; this is such a nice way to share with the children. They are going to love it!!! Have fun and good luck with everything. I am sure it will run smoothly.
Maria
http://journals.aol.com/bobbysgirl8584/thoughtsaboutmylifem yfamilymyfri/ -
Blessings your way!
Sug
7/17/06 12:27 AM
love,nat