Blessing Children in Need Blesses Us Too: How First Reformed UCC Works with Charles England Elementary School
{Jerry Lovell enjoyed reading a Dr. Suess book during Read Across America/ Contributed Photo}
By Jay Whitley
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Everyone has a soft spot in their heart for little ones, simply because they need us. And truth be told, we need them, too.
Mark Howitt once wrote, “God sends children to enlarge our hearts and to make us full of kindly sympathies and affections.”
Those of us who are the people of faith who call First Reformed United Church of Christ our spiritual home are fervent believers that children should be able to experience the love of God through the ministry of the church and individuals who represent it. Therefore, a ministry to children and youth in our community is always in our motivations, because they are the Church’s future.
Our pastor, Elizabeth Parker Horton, continually challenges us to use our spiritual gifts to take our places in the ministry of the Church. To put it plainly, we are called to “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” Using the innocence and frailties of children as an illustration, Jesus taught us of our duty to care for “the least of these my little ones . . . for when you have done a good deed for them . . . you have done it unto me.”
School personnel and First Reformed volunteers are pleased to be in partnership with Charles England. {Contributed Photo}
Taking this challenge seriously to serve children in need in our community, we began a partnership with Charles England Elementary School in 2018.
First Reformed UCC already provided school supplies including pencils, notebook paper, and other items for students as needed. But following a meeting between school and church representatives, the church agreed to help Charles England Elementary School students with more specific needs, as there was little or no funding for major necessities and special programs for students.
When this news came to the church’s Community Outreach Committee, and then to the church family, First Reformed UCC went to work. The Adult Sunday School Class, individuals, and anonymous groups gave financial contributions for Book Fairs, assuring that each child would receive a book.
First Reformed UCC has also been instrumental in “The Rubies and Pearls Celebration,” a formal dress-up party for the young girls in the school. This precious program has been enjoyed by many.
On Orientation Day, which for the Charles England faculty, staff, and administration is a fourteen-hour work day, our church family has provided a “pick up breakfast” consisting of doughnut holes, fruit, and sausage biscuits. This has been greatly appreciated by all those who have benefited from this thoughtful ministry.
Among the ministries to Charles England Elementary School that is so necessary is the Backpack Program, which provides for children in food crisis situations on weekends and holidays when they are not in school. We consider this a “must continue” program. We realize that it is difficult to motivate a hungry child. Therefore, we provide fifty bags each Friday of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods for the program.
At the beginning of school, First Reformed UCC gives supplies for medical boxes in each teacher’s classroom. This, too, is an ongoing ministry for which teachers are grateful.
Finally, and equally important as anything we do at Charles England School is Teacher Appreciation Week and National School Counselor Appreciation Week, where First Reformed UCC also provides a “pick up breakfast” for those persons who are so important in the lives of our children.
Furthermore, it is our plan to continue the aforementioned outreach ministries to Charles England Elementary School and with the favor of God’s Holy spirit, to continue with new programs as they are presented to us.
Retiring from local church, full-time ministry in April, 2016, my wife, Cathy and I seriously sought out a church that would challenge us to continue our open and affirming ministry idealogically and would offer us ministry opportunities to which we could remain active in a Church of Extravagant Welcome.
After looking for three years, we found First Reformed United Church of Christ in our own backyard . . . only two miles from our home. Yes, dear friends, God supplies!
For any person looking to take ministry beyond the Sunday pew, allow me to recommend First Reformed United Church of Christ. You will find a ministry for you and to you. If you consider yourself a child of God, there is a place for you here. If you do not feel that you are a child of God, we will convince you that you are! If, indeed, you have a heart for children, no matter the age, there is a place for you at First Reformed United Church of Christ.
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