Vacation Bible School . . . with Harry Potter!!

[Deb in IA]

http://www.trinityic.org/Wizards brochure.pdf

Our church is doing Harry Potter for Vacation Bible School this year!!
We started doing Vacation Bible School (VBS) last year, and the theme was "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Our DD helped out, and was completely hooked!! She was amazed at how our church, which she always thought was stupid and boring (like most teenagers!), was transformed into the Narnia, Mr. Tumnus' house, and the Beaver Hut!! And she got a huge kick out of our parishinors who played parts completely out of character - like one of our female priests who played The White Witch!!

This year, our Director of Christian Formation, a very talented lady (who was a theater major in college!) decided on Harry Potter! So, for the last week, DD has been at church helping turn our Parish Hall into The Great Hall, with a head table, stained glass windows for each of the houses of Hogwart's, and candles floating from the ceiling! Our Sunday School hall was transformed into Diagon Alley, the Choir Room is Snape's Potions Class, and the Children's Chapel is the McGonagall's Transfigurations Class!! And the entrance to the back hall is Platform 9 3/4!

We even got to be in it this year!! DD is playing Hermione, and DH is Snape!!! DS is enrolled as a Hogwarts' student. Unfortunately, I have to work, but have had a blast helping with this!!


We were a bit worried about the "theme" - you know, those people who think Harry Potter is about devil-worship, etc. - but only one, rather batty old lady was heard voicing her objections yesterday . . .

 

[DisneyCP2002]

What an interesting idea for vbs. I know my church would never go for it, although I'm sure it would attract many. This year we did a sports theme and we had over 300. I wish your church the best of luck, it sounds like alot of fun.

 

[DisneyPhD]

What a super cool idea. Last week was VBS at a friends church, it was all kind of space and secret agent like. DD had a great time. This week is VBS at MIL church. I am not sure what the theme is. They have them spilt up in to interest groups (DD is in cheerleading, there is Lego mania, cooking, other sports ect...)

I love your idea. I can't wait to hear how it went. Pictures????? What bible stories are they tying in with the theme?

My niece is such a Harry potter fan, she would love to help out with something like that. (she will be 16 soon.)

 

[Saxsoon]

Prepare for the picketers. Hope you all have a great time with it. That sounds like a lot of fun to put together.

As a side, I always enjoy helping out with the little kids at VBS.

 

[JadenLayne]

It sounds awesome to me! Take something that the kids love and relate it to the Bible to make it interesting. We had a Youth Study based on Lord of the Rings last year and it was so interesting. I actually screamed a bit when they showed Orlando on the screen, ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

What bible stories are they tying in with the theme?

My niece is such a Harry potter fan, she would love to help out with something like that. (she will be 16 soon.)

Here was today's schedule:

Monday: Platform 9 3/4
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, go shopping on Diagon Alley for God’s gifts, learn the Hogwarts School
Song, attend Prof. McGonagall’s Transfiguration Class (discovering who we are), and enjoy Hagrid’s Birthday
Party. Begin the Hero’s journey with the separation from the known and the call to adventure on our Christian
journey. Biblical Focus: “Moses is called by God”, Exodus 2-4

And yes, our DD just turned 16 and thinks this is really cool . . . and anytime I can get my kid to think that church is "cool", I'll take it!!

 

[Deb in IA]

LOL, Beth!!! I'll bet you screamed!!


Here is tomorrow's lesson:

Tuesday: Quidditch
Attend Madam Hooch’s Flying Lessons, receive a visit from the Sorting Hat, play Quidditch & Under
The Whomping Willow Tree, attend Transformation Class (Changing how we relate to each other as the Body
of Christ). Biblical Focus: “Jesus calls His disciples”, Matthew 4,9,10; Mark 1-3 and “One body, many parts”,
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians

 

[Deb in IA]

Wednesday and Thursday, my DH takes the stage as Severus Snape, with greasy black hair, flowing cape, and nasty snarl!!

Wednesday: A Night in the Forbidden Forest
Visit with Professor Snape, pursue the Unicorn, attend Spells & Divinations and Herbology classes. We
continue our journey by facing our fears and turning to God. Biblical Focus: “Elijah and the still, small voice of
God”, 1 Kings 19:9-15


Thursday: Snares, Dares, and Potions
Try and solve Hermione’s riddle, attend Professor Snape’s Potions Class, play the Shelter Game, and
dance at the Monster’s Ball. Biblical Focus: “The temptations in the wilderness”, Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4

 

[Deb in IA]

And the last day, which ends with a Eucharist.

Friday: The Mirror of Erised
Our Hero’s Journey continues with revelation and transformation. Visit with Hagrid and Norbert,
participate in the Chess Match, take your own look at the Mirror of Erised, and enjoy a Feast! The day will
end with a Closing Eucharist to which families of all the students are invited! Biblical Focus: “The Resurrection”
and the Baptismal Covenant

 

[crcormier]

That's great that your church is open-minded enough to see fiction as fiction, and the popularity of Harry Potter as an opportunity to be a good teaching tool.

 

[Deb in IA]

That's great that your church is open-minded enough to see fiction as fiction, and the popularity of Harry Potter as an opportunity to be a good teaching tool.

Well, this is an Episcopal church . . . open-minded is our middle name!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'd be interested to know more about the different activities. We have so much trouble getting people to Vacation Bible School. I'm thinking this might help make kids want to come. My DD 16 said, "Oh, I'd want to help!" The head of our Sunday School might be really interested. By the way, we're an Episcopal Church too, so I think it might easily work for us. Anything you can share would be appreciated...even pictures.

 

[Deb in IA]

Merry, I believe that this is the curriculum that our Director of Christain Formation used:

http://www.leaderresources.org/wizardsandwonders

As for pictures, I'm not very good at posting them, but I'll give it a try later.

 

[eeyore45]

I just picked up a book from Barnes and Noble that compared the Christian principles in Harry Potter!

Whatever works, God uses us to get His message out!

google worked >

http://www.powells.com/biblio/1414300913

Synopsis:
Millions of children, even Christian children, are reading the mega-selling Harry Potter book series and are exposed to the Harry Potter movies. John Granger, a devout Christian, teacher of classic literature, and father of seven children, first read the Harry Potter books so he could explain to his children why they weren't allowed to read them. After intense study, however, he became convinced that the books are underestimated as literature--and reflect important Christian truths. In Looking for God in Harry Potter, Granger gives parents and teachers a roadmap for using the Harry Potter books to teach Christian truth to children. ... Rowling's use of language — the insights into character names alone are worth the price of admission — and his keen awareness of word play

I read q few of those names, like Hedwig was one!!

 

[eclectics]

Good for your church! I never did understand how some denominations could come to the conclusion that the Harry Potter books somehow promoted devil worship and are anti-Christian. Far from it, imho. I also found it ironic that some of the most vocal folks in the media that have condemned the series, admitted that they never even read the books. Amazing!

 

[meandtheguys2]

What a great way to meet kids where they are. I hope you have a lovely crowd, and a great time!

 

[Buckalew11]

My daughter would love it!! I will have to tell her about this. I hope you have a good turnout, Deb!

 

[Tikicampers]

I'm so happy to hear about this! Our Catholic bookstore had a book about Christian themes in the Harry Potter books. I'm a huge dork, so I've read all of them as an adult, and there are so many ways to connect Christian beliefs into the stories. It bugs me that a few people are making it look like all Christians think the books are evil.
I'll bet the kids have a great time and learn a ton!

 

[MosMom]

Good for your church! I never did understand how some denominations could come to the conclusion that the Harry Potter books somehow promoted devil worship and are anti-Christian. Far from it, imho. I also found it ironic that some of the most vocal folks in the media that have condemned the series, admitted that they never even read the books. Amazing!

My DH's extended family believe this. They haven't read the books or watched the movies but they can tell you all about stuff that never happened in either.

My SIL loves Harry Potter but won't let her kids trick or treat. I guess everyone has a line.

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

My church is doing a "Dive into Obedience" theme with water fall paper mache,etc. I am a volunter for VBS and today was my first day. I wish we had your VBS!