Religious education classes kick off at JBER chapel Published Aug. 8, 2013 By Gordon Bascom JBER Religious Education office JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- As summer winds down and the school year approaches, it is always a busy time at the chapel. First, the big event everyone in the chapel community is looking forward to, Vacation Bible School will take place mornings Monday through Aug. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. This year, VBS will take place at Soldiers' Chapel on JBER-Richardson. The program is open to kids from all faith backgrounds, who have completed kindergarten through 6th grade. The theme this year is "Kingdom Rock;" in a setting of castles and knights, kids will learn to "stand strong for God" through songs, activities and Bible stories. Several local churches have contributed backgrounds, sets and materials to make this program even better. September marks the beginning of the religious education year at JBER chapel. There are programs for both the Catholic and Protestant communities on base. Like the school year, these programs run from September to May. Discovery, the Protestant RE program, kicks off on September 4 this year. Discovery is essentially the combined Sunday School program for all of the Protestant congregations on base. It takes place on Wednesday evenings at Soldiers' Chapel. Beginning at 5:45 p.m., there is a free dinner in the fellowship hall. Classes run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There are kids' classes for pre-kindergarten through 6th grade, and a selection of adult classes that include topics such as an in-depth study of a book of the Bible, marriage and family, theology and worldview. A nursery is also provided. Concurrently with Discovery, our ecumenical youth program, Club Beyond, meets at Soldiers' Chapel on Wednesday evenings as well. Club Beyond is open to junior high and high school age students of all faiths. This program is led by our new youth leader Corey Fletcher. On September 6 and 7, at the Arctic Warrior Events Center, the Protestant community is hosting our second annual Bible Boot Camp. The first Boot Camp was a big success last year, and helped strengthen the faith of over 50 attendees. Michael Patton has agreed to return this year. The subject this year is basic Christian apologetics, or how to explain and defend the Christian faith. Topics include the existence of God, the reliability of the New Testament, and the resurrection and deity of Jesus Christ. For information about the Bible Boot Camp or other Protestant religious education events, please contact Biff Gordon at 552-6480. The Catholic community starts off their religious education year on Sept. 15. This year, the Soldiers' Chapel and Chapel 1 congregations will meet at the Chapel Center, 10427 Kuter Ave., JBER-Elmendorf on Sunday afternoons. Veritas is the program for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Adult education classes will also take place at this time. On the first and third Sunday afternoons of each month, LifeTeen, our Catholic youth program will meet. Also, throughout the year there are confirmation classes for 10th graders and RCIA classes for adults. For more information about Catholic religious education, please call Cindy Sena-Martinez at 552-6493. Finally, our ministry to Airmen and Soldiers, Mountain Chapel Hospitality House deserves mention. They do not take summers off. Open to personnel of all faith backgrounds, the Hospitality House provides a home away from home. On Friday evenings in Eagle River, at 6 p.m. they offer a sumptuous home-cooked meal, dessert, games, and a devotional time. Other activities take place throughout the week. For more information please contact Bob Caudle at (517) 740-1715 or Dan Evans at 223-4055.