This translation is not completely accurate as it was automatically generated by a computer.
Powered by
By Barbara Dunlap-Berg*
7:00 A.M. ET July 29, 2013 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
Guests of different faiths attend the Back to School Fun Fair hosted by
Springfield United Methodist Church in Virginia. 2010 file photo by Kurt
Krieger.
View in Photo Gallery
Back-to-school season is
officially here, with many students returning to class in early August.
For many United Methodist congregations, it’s a time to share God’s
love in both word and deed.
In Pace, Fla., Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church hits the ground running with the Santa Rosa County Back 2 School Bash, scheduled this year on Aug. 17.
“The B2SB,” said the Rev. Mark Dees, “is an outreach ministry of the
church in partnership with our neighboring church, along with 140
businesses and organizations in our community. In 2012, we gave out
1,700 bags of school supplies, 300 backpacks, 140 haircuts, eye care,
child video identification and around 75 door prizes.” Between 7,000
and 8,000 people attended. Various faith-based organizations set up
booths to spotlight their work.
“I guess you could say that the people of the community know us as
the Back 2 School church,” Dees added. “It’s about showing God’s
love. It’s about giving the children an opportunity to hear the
message of Christ while experiencing his love firsthand.
“Wesley averages 95-100 in worship, and it takes about 400 volunteers to pull off this event. God has truly blessed us.”
Back to School Fiesta
The Barnabas Connection,
an outreach of the Wimberley (Texas) United Methodist Church,
addresses the health and human service needs of the community through
education, advocacy and direct service.
One of its big events is the Back to School Fiesta,
introduced in 2006 and next slated for Aug. 17. Many area churches and
agencies play key roles. Underserved families receive free backpacks
and school supplies, books, gift cards for shoes, haircuts,
immunizations and vision screenings, as well as information about
housing from Habitat for Humanity and voting from the League of Women Voters.
“It’s an opportunity for this community to really get to know all
aspects of the community,” explained Barnabas director Vicki McCuistion.
“People don’t realize there are people in our community who are
struggling. We often hide that demographic.
“The fiesta gets a child prepared for school with supplies that look
like everybody else’s,” she said. When church families shop for their
children’s supplies, they pick up another stylish backpack “so we don’t
give out a bunch of identical red backpacks.”
An important aspect of the fiesta is inviting families who receive services to return next year as volunteers.
McCuistion expects about 500 participants at the three-hour event.
A little boy receives a haircut as part of back-to-school activities at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Pace, Fla.
A 2002 file photo courtesy of
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.
View in Photo Gallery
‘The door is open’
Starting in late August and continuing throughout September, Springfield United Methodist Church
in Virginia, a faith-based partner of a neighborhood elementary
school, plays various back-to-school events to a crowd of 200.
“In addition to year-round tutoring,” said Shana Barr, director of
family and children’s ministries, “our congregation participates in the
school’s Back to School Fun Fair, where we pop popcorn and hand out
pencils and information about our ministries and upcoming Blessing of
the Backpacks and More Sunday. During this service, children and
parents are invited to worship with us to receive a special blessing
for their school, work or play. Later in September, we collaborate with
the PTA to have a Back to School Movie Night.
“People in the community look at Springfield United Methodist Church
as a place to belong,” she added. “They may be of different faiths,
but they know that the people who tutor their children, pop popcorn and
supervise moon bounces at fall and spring festivals are people who
love their children and love their family. I have seen Muslim families
praying in our festival prayer tents.
“Some children in the community may only see us during events, but
we know that our relationship building has started. When and if they
need us, we are on the corner. The door is open. Our hearts are ready.”
*Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor, United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Korean News
