The third of three nights of this summer's Vacation Bible School was held at the parsonage on Tuesday, July 24.

Noodling on a summer evening

The third night of Vacation Bible School was planned to be a “noodle-ish” event —  and in that respect, there were no disappointments.

Using the colorful, flexible, foam noodles most often found in swimming pools, the front lawn of the parsonage was turned into a Dr. Seuss-like playground of hoops and loops. It looked like a layout for croquet or archery, or hoop toss, but the games that were played offered creative challenges for both the young and not-so-young participants.

 Children and adults — who clearly still knew what it was like to be a child — crawled under and hurdled over loops anchored into the ground while other suspended hoops were used as targets for a foam javelin toss. There were no rules to these “noodle-ish” games and everyone searched well beyond traditional paths to have fun and to be a little silly.

Some adults served as human posts for a game of giant ring toss while other hoops were used — surprise, surprise — as flexible hoola-hoops. Dr. Seuss would have been proud!

And beyond the hoops and loops emerged other spontaneous challenges, like juggling, which produced some amazing participants.

When the games had run their course, everyone settled around a long table and used noodles of a different sort — as in using your mind. Led by Rev. Ruth Morrison, the group was challenged to find favorite and traditional verses in the Bible.

This led to people remembering Vacation Bible Schools of their youth and the favorite Bible passages they were introduced to and still remember. A number of people read passages and commented on the significance each held to them personally.

The discussion eventually turned from the Bible to attending church and what the weekly experience meant. From inspiration, to peace, to reflection, to prayer — there were many answers and the obvious contentment each held.

Click here for more images of the third night of the CEUMC Vacation Bible School: