As I sat down to write this month’s article, I was once again reminded just how quickly this year has flown by. It is already August! Then I quickly realized, as I looked at my calendar, that school begins in just a few short weeks for all kids and college students. As educators, parents, and students of all ages look forward to the upcoming school year with much anticipation, I pray that all can do so safely. I know that many of the technical ins and outs are still be decided upon by various institutions, I pray that as those entities work to navigate a return to class that they will continue to place the care of all at the top of the list.
I know that the seminary that I attend in Oklahoma is still navigating exactly what that will look like, and we are only three weeks away from the beginning of the Fall semester. Although I will be 100% online for my classes, there are others who take on campus classes as well as hybrid (online and in-person) courses and that is all still be sorted out.
Although we have been navigating all these differences in both schools and workplaces for the last seventeen months, it is an ongoing and moving obstacle to negotiate to ensure the care for all. I share all of this because despite all the challenges, the members and friends of Central Christian Church continue to show up for each and every opportunity that we have to help others. This year, as we dive into our annual school supply drive, it is no different. Kids will continue to learn, be it in the classroom or virtually, we have an awesome opportunity to help equip them and their teachers with the basic school supplies that they will need to navigate this upcoming year. For the past seven years, we have partnered with Smith Elementary in the Del Valle school district to fill up their teacher and parent liaisons supply closet with an assortment of supplies for children who either enter school with no supplies or who may run out of a particular item during the school year.
Not only is Smith Elementary a Title 1 school but our very own Ginger Meeks taught there for many years along with Maxine’s late Aunt Dorothy. I also learned that our very own Charles Jackson also taught in the Del Valle School District.
We may not be able to quiet all the angst that is swirling about regarding the upcoming school year yet. However, let us join to help, as you are able, to equip the children and their teachers with the basic supplies to encourage learning in the year ahead.
Shalom,
Pastor Heidi
Proverbs 22