June Chimes
VBS at St. Paul’s: Operation Restoration
VBS is almost here! While we’re in the thick of logistical planning for this year’s vacation bible school, I have been trying to find moments to reflect on the theme for this year: Operation Restoration. I wanted to share some thoughts on what this theme offers to us.
This theme comes from the work of Pastor Daniel Erlander, an artist, author, and theologian who published seven books during his life (he died in the summer of 2022). Parents and children here at St. Paul’s who have taken our first communion and confirmation classes will be familiar with two of his books, A Place for You and Manna and Mercy.
The theme of restoration is a constant presence in Erlander’s work, as well as a constant presence in the bible stories Erlander draws inspiration from. In the simple words of his work A Place for You, he writes, “God sent Jesus into the world to show that God loves everybody.” In Jesus God acted to reconcile our broken humanity and restore the universe to the peace and wholeness God intended from its inception. Jesus offers hope, healing, forgiveness, mercy, and rest to all the world.
The Operation Restoration program invites kids to hear this message and provides a window to the different ways they can participate in God’s ongoing work of restoration. Each of the five days emphasizes a different restorative action: feed, heal, forgive, pray, and rest. Like our past VBS programs, kids learn through storytelling, art, science, music, games, and snacks.
Thinking about God’s actions in and through Jesus as a means for restoration is very compelling, as is the idea that each of us as faithful people has a role to play. I am very much looking forward to sharing these ideas with the young people at our vacation bible school. Also, I am profoundly grateful for everyone that has volunteered to be a part of VBS this year! There are still plenty of ways to be involved and space for more kids to register.
May God’s restorative love be with you today and always.
Pastor Tim