CHOCOWINITY — A local church is gearing up for its 2014 Vacation Bible School and has reached out to the community, inviting area children to participate.

Haw Branch Church of Christ will host the five-day Bible School from July 27 to July 31, led by church members Peggy Crisp and Paige Hardy. This year’s theme is “Living the Blue Ribbon Life,” which is a metaphorical interpretation of the county fair and “doing your best,” Crisp said. The theme will teach participants about the fruit of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control.
“We chose this theme because I think it’s important to make sure you’re always doing your best no matter what, whether it’s being a friend or in a sport,” Crisp said. “Even when it’s hard, we should strive to do the best we possibly can. The theme works off the idea of the county fair.”

Crisp said each night of the VBS, children will participate in musical and recreational activities and arts and crafts, as well as learn about various individuals from the Bible and the stories in which they are involved. Each night’s story correlates with a different fruit of the spirit, Crisp said. The children will also be treated to different kinds of fair-themed snacks, including popcorn and cotton candy. Kona Ice will also visit the church one night of the VBS to give out icy treats, Crisp said.

One lesson scheduled will teach children about peace and a Bible story that represents peace. Crisp said children will learn the story of when Jesus and the disciples were in a boat and the disciples became afraid of the rough waters from a storm, which was tossing the boat around. Jesus spoke and declared the storm to cease and he calmed the storm.

Crisp said the church has made an extensive effort to have community children join the church for this year’s VBS. The church held a community movie night, inviting residents out to the Chocowinity Recreation Complex. At the event, the church had a booth set up to register children for the Bible school. The church will also utilize an ice cream truck to ride around the community, encouraging families to sign their children up, Crisp said.

“We always love to have our own kids at VBS, but they have an opportunity to hear these stories year-round,” Crisp said. “It’s supposed to be an outreach to families and kids who don’t hear them so we are doing things to try and get them to come out.”

The church is also offering transportation to those who want to attend but have no means to get to and from the church each night, Crisp said. Those who need a ride are asked to fill out a form to request transportation. Two forms — one for registration and one for transportation — can be accessed online at www.hawbranchchurch.com, under the VBS 2014 link, Crisp said.

“Transportation will be available for those who do not have a way to get here each night,” Crisp said. “If they tell us they need a ride, they fill out a form, and we go get them in the church van.”

The final night of the Bible school, the church will host a hot dog dinner for children who participated and their families, Crisp said. Children will also be given prizes the last night of the school, based on a reward system. Throughout the week, participants will be given tickets, which can be exchanged for prizes. Tickets will be given for showing acts of kindness, remembering Bible verses or bringing a friend to Bible school, Crisp said.

“You can win prizes just like at the fair,” Crisp said. “Our hope is to capture the adults by getting the kids involved and them wanting to come back. Hopefully, we can get them hooked in so they can come and get involved in some of the things we offer. The Bible school has definitely grown over the years. We have seen an increase in attendance.”

To register for Haw Branch Church of Christ Vacation Bible School or to request transportation, go to www.hawbranchchurch.com, click on the “VBS 2014” link and download the forms. To register or request transportation by phone, call Peggy Crisp at 252-342-3337.