First Lutheran Church kicks off VBS season with ‘unexpected’ numbers

For the past six months or so, Melissa Stoen planned, replanned, scrapped those plans and replanned again – “it was a rollercoaster,” she said – but the end result was better than anyone expected.
It’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) season, and if the First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie is any indication, it’s going to be a good one.
“We had 93 kids this year, which I didn’t expect,” said Stoen, the director of children’s ministry at the church since July 2019. Last summer, VBS was only online, thanks to COVID-19, so this was her first in-person experience running the program.
There was an option for families to “attend” online VBS again this year, but there were no takers. And having nearly 100 students “blew me away,” Stoen said.
Planning for the three-day experience was a challenge, she said.
“The rules (for gatherings) changed throughout all the planning,” which usually begins in January, Stoen said. “We waited until April because things were changing so much. I think it was May 27th when the restrictions finally really loosened” for larger groups. The health department’s rules on masks, for example, went back and forth, “so we changed our camp guidelines for masks from ‘required’ to ‘strongly recommended.’”
Something else occurred that was unexpected: The extended heatwave that hit during last week’s VBS. The organizers had hoped to hold most activities outside because of the coronavirus.
About half of the students came wearing masks on June 8, “but by the end of our time, it was so hot outside, most just took them off,” Stoen said. “Each kid brought a labeled water bottle, and the crew leaders had them” wherever the class went. Additional bottled water was available throughout the church, and the kids were encouraged to come inside and cool off if they got too warm.
In the past, VBS at First Lutheran ran from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; this year, it was shortened by 30 minutes, and the afternoon snack was “to-go,” again keeping with health guidelines.
Still, Stoen said, “it was honestly perfect. We might just keep it at 90 minutes next year. The kids are having fun, and they’re retaining the lessons.”
The shortened day also may have lent itself not only to the number of students, but volunteers: There were 38 additional helpers, not including Stoen and the church’s two pastors.
The Rev. Mike Walerius, the associate pastor, handled the Bible lesson each day with the Rev. Heidi Heimgartner, senior pastor of First Lutheran.
“We ham it up,” Walerius said of the pastors’ roles. “I wore a big paper mustache (the first day), and now the kids keep asking me where my mustache is.”
In addition to the lesson, the students also spent time at outdoor “Imagination Stations” that emphasized the “Rocky Railway” theme of VBS. They did their crafts inside the air-conditioned classrooms. The day’s opening and closing were held in the sanctuary with all 93 kids, leaders and assistants. The students performed the songs they learned over the three days during Sunday’s church service.
Cora Stoen, who will be a first-grader in the fall, said her favorite part of the day was “learning about the animals, Rocky’s friends. Today, we’re learning about this guy,” she said, pointing at a display featuring Lawrence Elk.
Though COVID dictated some distancing strategies – classes, or “crews,” were grouped by families instead of by age – Cora said she would miss her friends when VBS wrapped up.
Her assistant crew leader for the week was 11-year-old Bella Romeo, who will be a sixth-grader next fall. Bella’s mom, Kristin Romeo, was their crew leader.
“I like going to church,” Bella said, “but we had to be here less time because of COVID. I really like helping the little kids get to where they need to be. It’s fun to help.”
Walerius agreed.
“I really love the energy of VBS,” he said, “and the kids have just loved it, even with this heat. Whenever people tell me they worry about the future of our world, I tell them they just aren’t hanging out with the kids enough. The kids are doing well; there’s hope in these crazy times.”
First Baptist Church of Blooming Prairie held its Vacation Bible School June 13-16.
 
INFOBOX
A sampling of VBS dates:
 
St. Columbanus Church, Blooming Prairie
June 28-July 1, 9-11:30 a.m.
 
Trinity Lutheran Church, Medford
July 12-15, 6-8 p.m.
 
Bethel Church, Owatonna
July 12-16, 9 a.m.-noon
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran, Owatonna
July 19-22, 6-8 p.m.