During the week of June 26-30, 2023
St. Matthew held Vacation Bible School from 9:00-11:30 AM for children who have completed Preschool through 5th grade. 

We used curriculum provided by ELCA World Hunger. This year's VBS theme was "Tree of Healing." This theme comes from the rich prophetic description of the new Eden in Revelation 22:1-4. In this vision, the "tree of life" stands astride "the river of the water of life," and St. John assures us that "the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (22:2). The tree is a symbol of God's promise and a reminder of God's will for all the nations to experience healing.

The last three years have reminded us how far we are from the promise of health and wellness for us and our neighbors. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted in tragic ways our vulnerability to disease and the injustice of unequal access to care, treatment and resources for health.

"Tree of Healing" VBS was a chance for children and adults to consider what health means and how God invites us to share in the building of a just world where all can enjoy the gifts of God's creation.