Jonah, Zacchaeus spark memories of Vacation Bible School

Jonah and Zacchaeus recur as a touchstone for how Vacation Bible School has evolved beyond its former formats. The piece notes that today’s VBS blends storytelling with immersive, sensory experiences, a shift the author recalls after hearing about a relative’s best day at church. The story of Jonah is brought to life inside a tent that mimics the belly of a big fish, with an open can of tuna and a fan releasing a fishy scent. The author also reflects on her childhood in Grenada, where her grandmother enrolled her in First Baptist Church’s summer program, memory that contrasts with the Episcopal Church now offering VBS for kids and adults.