Differences in denominational dogma, culture and language aren't keeping three downtown churches from a partnership.

For the third consecutive year, Christ Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church are joining together for a vacation Bible school program called "Jesus in the Neighborhood."

"It's become our brand of ecumenicalism when we do things together," said the Rev. Bob Towner, rector at Christ Episcopal Church. "It's Jesus that brings us together."

And this year, the two churches are being joined by Iglesia El-Shaddai, a Hispanic congregation that recently relocated downtown, for the Aug. 4 to 6 event.

The partnership is one that opens cultural doors and also knocks down a language barrier. Most of the Hispanic children are bilingual and will teach the English-speaking children a song in Spanish, organizers say.

More than half the children who attended the vacation Bible school last year weren't members of either First Presbyterian or Christ Episcopal churches, said Charlotte Edwards, a member at First Presbyterian.

"It's not just an activity thing, it's an evangelism thing," she said.

The church volunteers -- about 25 adults -- organize the three-day event, write their own curriculum and develop crafts and games suited to the lessons.

The Rev. Paul Kabo, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, said the three congregations had wanted to find more ways to cooperate and VBS seemed like an obvious choice.

First Presbyterian and Christ Episcopal already have joined together for other projects, like a neighborhood association and past vacation Bible schools.

Using a theme "Jesus in the Neighborhood" allows the churches to introduce young children to the Bible and who Jesus was. This year's particular emphasis will be on a journey with Jesus.

"He made some pretty amazing hikes," Towner said, adding that Scripture lessons about Jesus teaching from the temple and going to the mountaintop for the transfiguration are being planned.

Each of the churches is represented on a planning committee that covers all the details of the vacation Bible school including a meal each evening.

Events for children ages 4 to 12 will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at Christ Episcopal Church. Registration begins at 5 p.m. Aug. 4.

For more information, phone 335-2579 or 335-2997.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126