By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

School is out for the summer, but all of our local churches are filling up with kids for that “fun week” known as Vacation Bible School.

The curriculums are varied but they always stress learning how to love one another and learning more about our Christian faith.

Although First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster is a small community church, it has always managed to attract a large turnout of eager kids and teenagers for this annual event.

This year was no exception with some eight to 10 teenage workers, three full-time kitchen helpers and half a dozen “teachers” helping director Renee Brown (a local Thompson High School teacher), assistant director Lori Harnish, musicians and others to make Workshop of Wonders special to about 30 children.

Story time and snacks were a big hit as little ears listened to Mrs. Chris Oyer teach stories of the Bible along with general good manners and healthy habits.

Oyer had other “stations” of helpers who set up various areas of games, arts and crafts, science experiments and other fun activities.

First Presbyterian has several teenagers going on a mission trip to Memphis next week and they are using W.O.W (Workshop of Wonders) as a part of their mission theme.

On Friday the kids were asked to bring donations for the “Fill The School Bus” campaign.

This is a church effort to help needy children with various basic school supplies that they will need when returning to school.

Among the many items to be supplied are scissors, glue, crayons, markers, notebook paper and other basic school supply needs.

First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster (also affectionately known as “Elliottsville”) was founded in the 1850s and has been the scene of many church weddings, funerals, picnics, dinners on the ground, family fellowships and many other events that help to promote their theme of “An Open Door for All.”

As always all are welcome.