By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

VACATION Bible school got off to a great start at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Long Island last week.
According to Long Island Anglican Church members one of the greatest privileges and joys for any youngster is to engage in a Christian based Vacation Bible School after a long rigorous gruelling academic semester.

Father Chester Burton, Rector of the Anglican Churches in Long Island, said the Parish of St Peter’s had been afforded the pleasure of taking part in the Vacation Bible School festivities because of their companion relationship with St Matthew’s in the heart of New Providence.

“This union was consummated over 30 years ago when Archdeacon James Palacious was Rector of the Parish and the priests/rectors who came after maintained this treasured tradition,” said Father Burton.

Father Burton said Father Crosley Walkine, present Rector of St Matthew’s, trained him while he was rector of St Anne’s in Fox Hill, and they are no strangers.

“Father Walkine didn’t attend St Peter’s Patronal Festival or Vacation Bible School, but sent his able and capable assistant curate Father Lynden Douglas. Father Douglas brought with him a cadre of talented and trained teachers to commandeer this Annual Vacation Bible School 2013,” said Father Burton.

He said Glinton’s Primary School in North Long Island was a beehive of activity for the week, as children engaged in wholesome Christian activities.

Father Burton said more than 50 youngsters aged 4 to 16, gathered in the auditorium to get a better understanding of Christian life.

“This was done free of charge under the auspices of St Matthew’s Church. Many youngsters were able to carry their nicely decorated keepsakes home with them at the culmination of Vacation Bible School,” said Father Burton.

He added: “The benefit of these Vacation Bible Schools can be far reaching because children are easily influenced, and this kind of activity is able to trickle into the confines of the family. So the children can positively influence some of their parents who sometimes are too consumed with other extracurricular activities and neglect their church attendance and spiritual development.”

Father Burton said he is very pleased with the commitment and dedication of St Matthew’s because many times churches or parishes on the Family Islands need the help of parishes in New Providence to foster better missions and ministry.

The Vacation Bible School week ended last Friday, as many youngsters joined in on the final fun day at the Deal’s Beach beach party.