Engaging Local Schools

Presenters

Rev. Tom Berlin, pastor of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Va.
Dr. Asa Lee, associate dean of community life of Wesley Theological Seminary
Dr. Ann A. Michel, associate director of the Lewis Center
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center

Video Presentations

The Power of Doing What Matters (29:52 min)
Rev. Tom Berlin
Floris United Methodist Church has found exciting and creative ways to engage with a nearby school. Rev. Tom Berlin describes this one part of their mission outreach that is both local and global.

Why Schools Matter to the Church (21:40 min)
Rev. Asa J. Lee
School partnerships are part of a larger mission of engaging our communities. In order for this work to be effective, the local church must have a clear theological grounding for its action. Rev. Asa J. Lee provides theological and biblical framing for engaging our schools.

Discerning a Vision for Supporting a Local School (9:35 min)
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
What type of school partnership will work in your setting? Each school has unique needs and every congregation has unique gifts and resources to employ in serving the community. This presentation outlines steps to take before launching a school partnership to learn better what needs are present in your schools and to assess your congregation’s strengths so that a school partnership plan will be fruitful in your context.

Narrated Presentations

Supplying Student Needs (26:41 min)
Dr. Ann Michel
This presentation offers an overview of school partnership programs that provide students with school supplies, books, meals, or uniforms. It considers some of the opportunities and challenges of this type of ministry, lifting up examples and best practices.

Supporting and Affirming Teachers (11:58 min)
Dr. Ann Michel
Teachers are key to the success of our schools. This presentation considers how your congregation can support local education through efforts to honor, support, and recognize teachers.

Helping Students Succeed (24:10 min)
Rev. Asa Lee
This presentation provides an overview of school partnership programs that deploy church volunteers to work directly with students, including mentoring, tutoring, before- and after-care, and academic enrichment programs. This presentation also considers the need for appropriate training and safety precautions to ensure that a child-centered ministry is conducted in a sound and appropriate manner.

Developing a Heart for the Needs of Children and Schools (9:48 min)
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
What is your congregation’s understanding of schools? This presentation considers what can be done in your church to build awareness and support for local schools.

Instructional Segments

Why Engage Your Local School?

The Power of Doing What Matters

• Video Presentation (29:52 min), Rev. Tom Berlin, Pastor of Floris United Methodist Church (UMC), Herndon, VA
• Why Should Churches Serve Children in Poverty? and Communicating a Vision for a Church-School Partnership, Jake McGlothin, Director of Serve Ministries, Floris UMC

 

Why Schools Matter to the Church

• Video Presentation (21:40 min), Dr. Asa J. Lee, associate dean of community life of Wesley Theological Seminary
• Outline of Key Points

Getting Started

Overview of Church-School Partnerships Possibilities

• What Can Your Church Do Through Partnerships to Support Children,
  Teachers and Your Public Schools? from the United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries (ucc.org)
• 50 Ways to Engage Local Schools, a Lewis Center Resource

 

Discerning a Vision for Supporting a Local School

• Video Presentation (9:35 min), Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
• Outline of Key Points
• Chart: Identifying Strategic Initiatives
• Experiencing Public Schools: A Process of Immersion and Discernment from the United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries (ucc.org)
• Identify Community Ministry Needs by Listening by Joy F. Skjegstad

Developing a Heart for the Needs of Children and Schools

• Narrated Presentation (9:48 min), Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
• Outline of Key Points

Some Program Options

Helping Students Succeed

• Narrated Presentation (24:10 min), Dr. Asa J. Lee, associate dean of community life of Wesley Theological Seminary
• Outline of Key Points
• Example: The Character Club, Mount Olivet Baptist Church
• Example: Volunteer Handbook, Germantown UMC, Germantown, TN
• Example: Mentoring Guide, PALS Mentoring Program, Floris UMC, Herndon, VA

 

Supplying Student Needs

• Narrated Presentation (26:41 min), Dr. Ann A. Michel, Associate Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
• Outline of Key Points
• Example: Floris UMC’s “Help Hungry Kids” Program Information

 

Supporting and Affirming Teachers

• Narrated Presentation (11:58 min), Dr. Ann A. Michel, Associate Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
• Outline of Key Points
• Example: Celebrating Educators Program, Community of Christ, Kansas City, MO
• Example: Demonstrate Vision in Relevant Ways, Impact Church, Atlanta, GA