For generations, Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been a summertime staple—a week when children gather for songs, crafts, and lessons about love and faith. But as our communities grow ever more diverse, VBS needs a transformation. The days of one-size-fits-all themes (or, let’s be honest, “Safari in Africa” or “Rickshaw Rally” cringe-fests) are behind us. It’s time to create VBS programs where every child, family, and volunteer feels safe, seen, and celebrated—just as they are.
Upwardism believes that spiritual uplift should be available to everyone. That’s why we’re spotlighting creative leaders who are building the future of VBS—not by doubling down on nostalgia, but by inventing new traditions rooted in inclusion, intersectional justice, and joy.
When it comes to truly inclusive VBS, there’s no better example than Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) and their groundbreaking curriculum, JUST Like Me.
JUST Like Me is an unapologetically affirming, multigenerational VBS curriculum, designed “to help kids celebrate their identity as God’s beloved creations just as they are.” It’s not just a rebrand of the same old stories—it’s a complete rethink. Developed by a diverse team from across the country, every lesson, song, and craft is intentionally created to center children and families of every race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and background.
What makes JUST Like Me stand out?
Representation: Characters in the curriculum, from “Amani” to “Kay,” reflect a spectrum of identities—racial, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and more—so every kid can see themselves as part of God’s story.
Intersectional Justice: Daily themes (“I Wonder,” “I Have Something to Share,” “I Need My People”) are anchored in Bible stories that connect faith to real-world justice, solidarity, and advocacy.
Multigenerational Design: It’s not just for kids. There are youth and adult tracks, meaning entire families and congregations can learn and grow together.
Training and Support: The curriculum comes with volunteer guides, vocabulary videos, and training to empower leaders—no gatekeeping, no guesswork.
Radically Welcoming: RMN’s approach is explicit: queer kids, trans kids, disabled kids, neurodivergent kids, kids of color—everyone belongs, everyone is sacred.
What can we learn from JUST Like Me—and how can you do the same in your context, whether you’re United Methodist, Unitarian, non-denominational, spiritual-but-not-religious, or building your own Upwardist community from scratch?
1. Listen First
Invite LGBTQIA+ folks, people of color, neurodivergent people, disabled folks, and others who are often marginalized into the planning room. Don’t design “for” them—create “with” them.
2. Rethink the “Theme”
Does your VBS theme reflect real children’s lives, or does it reinforce old stereotypes? Could it celebrate gifts like curiosity, compassion, and community—rather than “othering” cultures or appropriating traditions?
3. Center Stories of Belonging
Lift up Bible stories (and modern stories) about chosen family, speaking up for others, and God’s love for all identities. Make sure every story offers a sense of “you are welcome here.”
4. Include Multigenerational & Youth Elements
Kids are wise. Teens are leaders. Adults still need to learn. Your VBS should equip everyone to have hard conversations about justice, difference, and kindness. JUST Like Me’s youth/adult tracks are a great model.
5. Celebrate Every Body and Mind
Design for all abilities, sensory needs, and learning styles. Provide quiet spaces. Avoid gendered dress codes. Use language that affirms every identity (“just like you, just like me”).
6. Share Resources
Don’t start from scratch. Use and adapt resources like JUST Like Me (see here) or collaborate with groups like RMN, Beloved Arise, More Light Presbyterians, or Q Christian Fellowship.
Imagine a VBS where the songs celebrate every voice, the crafts honor every culture (without appropriation), and the games teach real skills for building a braver, kinder world. Imagine a place where a nonbinary kid, a queer family, or a neurodivergent volunteer walks in and says, “I belong here.”
That’s Upwardism. That’s the future.
Want to bring JUST Like Me or another inclusive curriculum to your community?
Check out Reconciling Ministries Network’s JUST Like Me VBS for inspiration, sample lessons, and info.
Remember: You’re not alone! There’s a whole movement reimagining faith formation—and it’s only growing.
This page is not sponsored or officially affiliated with Reconciling Ministries Network, but we are huge fans of their work and recommend them to anyone seeking to make their faith community more inclusive.