{Ms. Graham, is a writer in the Boston, Mass. area}
 
..There comes a time in every mother's life when she has to make
a decision to save herself and her loved ones, even if it means
taking a leap of faith. In other words, there comes a time for
"Vacation Bible School."
 
..The large signs beckon from every suburban church. 'Free baby-
sitting, All week!'.. is one primary inferred message{!}
..It is a seductive pitch, directed at frazzled parents desperate to
entertain their bored offspring as the summer drags on.
 
A REFUGE FOR FRAZZLED PARENTS, An OPPORTUNITY FOR CHURCHES
 
..Vacation Bible School, or VBS, differs by denomination, but the
churches that offer it share a common goal: to expose children to
the gospel, and maybe, just maybe, recruit their families into the
church.
..For Southern Baptists, the largest Protestant denomination in the
U.S., VBS is the most effective tool of evangelism; the impetus for
26% of baptisms in 2006. Nearly three million children and adults
attended VBS at Southern Baptist churches last year, resulting in
94,980 "decisions to receive Christ as Savior"; and 280,693 "Sunday-
School prospects discovered," according to Southern Baptist Conven-
tion statisticians.
 
.."Vacation Bible School is today's revival," said Jerry Wooley, the
VBS specialist for "LifeWay," the SBC's publishing agency.
..Vacation Bible School was the brainchild of a Mrs. D.T. Miles, it
is said.. who was concerned that the children of her husband's con-
gregation weren't learning enough on Sundays, and needed a month-
long course of study over the summer.
 
..The first session, in 1884, had 37 students. Like its modern-day
counterparts, it included arts and crafts, singing, exercise, drama
and Bible study.
..Today, more than half of American churches offer VBS. Many provide
a week-long, half-day program during the summer, primarily for grade-
schoolers. Increasingly, however, churches are switching to evening
sessions, and offering classes for adults as well.
 
{to be continued; provided this somewhat 'tetched' light-headed
feeling/disposition of mine, to some of those who would likely
appreciate this post, continues!}