CARTHAGE – Lillian Bradeen’s love of her church and the people in her town helped launch a summer experience dozens of children can take part in.
The vacation Bible school of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is in its fourth year. Some children are creating colorful craft projects, some playing ball, others learning Bible stories. And all receive a healthy lunch made by people in the community who want to help.
When Bradeen died four years ago, her family asked for donations to be made to her church in lieu of flowers, said her daughter, Donna Berry. The church then decided to start a vacation Bible school. Nine of Bradeen’s grandchildren or great-grandchildren are attending this year’s session.
Children from throughout the area, ages 5 through 13, get a chance for one week in July to get together with friends, play games, create colorful projects, and hang out with others. Most have attended every year since the vacation Bible school began.
“It’s just really fun,” said Erin Turner, an 11-year-old from Carthage who will be in seventh grade at Dirigo Middle School in the fall. “It’s something different to do during the summer.”
Jan McIntyre is the director of the summer event. A registered nurse, she always takes part of her vacation then so she can organize the activities. So far this week, she has treated a bee sting and a sprained finger.
One volunteer is assigned to every five children, she said. These volunteers are responsible for looking out for their charges, making sure their crafts and treats go home with them, get them to lunch and take them to their Bible lesson.
A closing program complete with a piata to follow this year’s theme of fiesta takes place at 6 p.m. Friday.
When a child reaches age 13, she or he can become a volunteer to help the younger children.
Nichole Berry, age 13, is one of the Bible school’s recent “graduates.”
She was a participant for three years, then came back as a volunteer.
“It’s really fun. I like everything about it, especially the crafts,” she said as she helped some of the younger children with their painting or other project.
Betsy Collins was one of the volunteers preparing lunch in the kitchen. She’s not a member of the church, but she believes the vacation Bible school is a community event. In early August, she’ll be helping out when the Carthage Union Church holds its annual vacation Bible school.
The families of some participants time their vacations to Maine during the Bible school week, including the Graham family from Tennessee. Nathan Graham, 13, likes the games, while his brother, Luke, 9, enjoys the sand pile.
Their parents, Alan and Gina, volunteer by leading games or other events during the week. Their home church also donated money to help keep the annual vacation Bible school going.
With so many churches so small – Pastor Steve Brownell serves four Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in the area – putting a vacation Bible school together takes lots of help from nonmembers.
“It’s a community effort,” McIntyre said.
July and August are the months for vacation Bible schools throughout the area. Others taking place now include one at the Dixfield Congregational Church, and during the first full week of August, at the Carthage Union Church and the Rumford Methodist Church.
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