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| School Supplies collected by Hope United |
As I mentioned before, my church, Hope United, has felt called
by God to Focus on Education. We began this journey with an initiative to collect
school supplies for Annie Purl Elementary, and our folks responded with
kindness and generosity! Not only did we
offer some standard classroom supplies, but we also asked if there were any
specific things the school needed that was not on the list—things that normally
would not be given. After a few emails
went out, we learned the art department needed tempera paint. The counselor reported that all her Lego kits
had been stolen; these were used with her counseling as well as a very active
after-school program. She also needed
paint and play-doh. And so we were able
to give 9 new Lego kits, paint, watercolors, and play-doh!
This Sunday, I’ll be preaching about our responsibility to
our children and how that relates to our educational system. Further, as a congregation, we will covenant,
that is make promises before God and each other, to Focus on Education. We’ve noted three areas. We promise to:
- Support our local community schools
- Educate ourselves about the issues
- Advocate on behalf of our children.
Also this Sunday, we will offer a prayer for our educational
system. I’ve added the prayer at the
bottom of this blog, but we want to recognize, thank, and pray for all the
people who are involved at our schools.
This week, I was able to meet with the principal and school
counselor at Annie Purl Elementary to talk about the ways that we could
partner. We wanted to find out from them
what they needed, and then see if we could assist. I told
them of our Focus on Education and how we were being called by God to get
involved in helping and supporting our schools.
Though I understand the need for a separation of church and state and
that our children should not be harassed or proselytized to one particular
faith (or no faith), as a clergy person representing a church, I felt warmly
welcomed. I even told the principal—we are
not out to proselytize or convert or force our views of faith on anyone. We are simply here to serve.
I learned of the great need for mentors. I have mentored in the past and know the
value of being a mentor for a child, but both the principal and the school
counselor practically begged me for volunteers who would commit to giving 30
minutes a week to a child. They have
several kids on a waiting list. Please
consider mentoring a child. Every child
needs to know at least one adult believes in and cares about them. Click here to learn how. Related to mentoring, they also asked for volunteers
with their morning reading program. The
kids need to read at least 100 minutes a week, and sadly some don’t get the
encouragement at home. And so a
volunteer can come at 7:30am and read with a child for about 20 minutes. Let me know if you are interested.
But what really got me was the way the principal asked me
for prayer. Now, we have been praying
for our schools and as I said we’ll be having a special blessing this Sunday,
but this principal was passionate about having me come in and pray.
Whoever said they took prayer out of school anyway? That’s just a bold faced lie. Here I had a principal ask me to pray. Now I won’t be praying during the morning
announcements or with any of the children directly—that would not be
appropriate. We don’t force our faith on
others; we go where we are invited, with respect. But the principal wanted me to walk the
halls, praying. And if possible, to come
in when school was not in session, go around to each and every chair and pray
for the person who would be sitting there, so that no one would be missed. I give thanks to God that these folks care so
much about every single one of our kids!
And so, after our meeting, I walked the halls, praying. I saw artwork outside the classrooms,
teachers teaching their kids. Some of
the classes were dark while a projector was used. There were children walking in an orderly
fashion through the halls. Yes, I saw
one kid who was waiting to see the principal!
Names and artwork on the walls, bright colors and friendly faces. It was a joy to witness dedication and
commitment and a willingness to serve others.
Sadly, though things were clean and kept up, Annie Purl
Elementary is quite old, built back in the time they used asbestos. Jan names off all the people, like her, who
have faced cancer and wonders if there is a connection. Jan’s classroom and the one next door kept
getting broken into so they had to put cameras outside the windows. And as Georgetown grows, there are plenty of
plans for new schools; but they also need to replace these aging ones.
I do hope you will join with me in supporting our schools,
and that you will pray for them.
Here is the prayer I will offer this Sunday:
A Blessing for
our Education System
As
part of our Focus on Education, today
we ask God’s blessing to be upon our schools and education system. Let us pray. Lord, we know that you love
us and that you have created each and every one of us with value and intrinsic
worth. We recognize that our education system plays a crucial part in helping
our children reach their potential as gifted and creative beings. It is at
school, where our children learn about this beautiful universe you have
created, where our children may experience community for the first time, and
where our children develop a love of learning. We ask you, O God, to bless our
schools.
We
pray for our teachers, thanking them for their service, sacrifice, and
commitment. Give them strength and patience and creativity, a compassionate
heart and a determined resolve.
We
pray for all the administrators, superintendents and principals, school board
members, clerical and supportive staff.
We
pray for our school counselors, our nurses, and those teachers who specialize
in areas of coaching, art, and music.
We
pray for all the others who work at our schools in a supportive manner, the
cooks and janitors and grounds crew.
We
pray for our mentors and those who volunteer at the school, for the PTA and all
those who give time, talent, and treasure on behalf of others.
And
we pray for our parents, to be a good example for our children in the pursuit
of learning, to love and encourage and be supportive, to help our children know
how important this is and to hold them accountable.
And
finally, we pray for our children, for their safety, for a love of learning,
for fun and creativity, for persistence and determination. May our children
know that people love them, believe in them, and want them to do their best.
May
your hand, O God, be upon our schools, and may we know that you walk with us,
always. Amen.
Ron
Trimmer is pastor of Hope United, a new church in Georgetown, Texas.
Click here to visit Hope United’s website.
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