ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Over 200 Team Andrews members and their families joined in the fun at the Vacation Bible School Family Beach Party held on the lawn of Chapel 1 recently.
"The Chapel celebrated the close of VBS with the beach party," said Leigh Thornley, 2008 VBS director and wife of Chaplain, Capt. Andrew Thornley, 316th Wing protestant chaplain, currently serving in the AOR. "We served hot dogs, chips, drinks and had lots of fun things for the family, like jumpy castles and slides, volleyball, tug-o-wars -- it was a great way to end the week."
Mrs. Thornley said VBS was available for Andrews' children and the community overwhelmingly responded. "Last year's program ran approximately 25 children. This year there was a significant increase for which we are so thankful," said Mrs. Thornley. "VBS is for all children, ages 4 through 12. We had over 100 children every day with over 50 volunteers. It was amazing to see it all come together. On Wednesday, we had our record day with 160 students in attendance," noted Mrs. Thornley.
This year's theme, "Beach Party: Surfin' through the Scriptures," featured lessons on character. Mrs. Thornley said, "All the lessons came from the Bible and we taught "Beach Be-attitudes" each day including "Be Obedient," "Be Kind," "Be Forgiving," "Be Bold," and "Be-lieve."
In addition to the lessons taught at VBS, the students also had a joint goal: to help children half a world away. "We had an outreach project for the week where we collected school supplies, like pencils and paper, for the children in Iraq. The children brought supplies to fill book bags for needy children 8,000 miles away," said Mrs. Thornley. "Their generosity and patriotism was something to make us all proud. There were boxes and boxes, probably 120 pounds worth, filled with school supplies for the chapel to send. It was so amazing!"
Mrs. Thornley noted that the chapel is reaching out to the base community, as well. "We have purposefully targeted families hoping that children's ministries, including VBS, Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, and AWANA will send the message that we at the Chapel care about families," said Mrs. Thornley. "We want to be relevant in their lives and want folks to know that their entire family is welcome at our chapels to worship, be encouraged, and have fun!"
Mrs. Thornley explained VBS is an opportunity that children can carry with them throughout their lifetime. "I remember going to VBS as a little girl," said Mrs. Thornley. "The lessons and Bible verses I learned then are still with me today. Children and their families need to know God's word has all the answers for life and that the chapel community cares about our families at Andrews."
Families interested in participating in other children's programs at the Chapel can look forward to the start of another Chapel program, AWANA. "If your children enjoyed VBS, then they're going to love AWANA which begins this fall at Chapel 3," said Mrs. Thornley.
For more information on children's programs at the Chapel, call 301-981-2111.