Bishop Kenneth Monroe of the Eastern District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion (AMEZ), NC Superintendent of Instruction, Mark Johnson, and Bishop Paul Leeland of the Western Carolina Conference each spoke to encourage and inspire congregations to join the state-wide initiative to help public school children living in poverty, Congregations for Children, and to thank those districts and congregations already involved in this partnership.
Bishop Monroe talked about the great need for church and community partnerships to meet the needs of children and spoke of already being in conversations with the Methodist Home for Children. Strong children, spiritually, morally, academically, psychologically, and healthwise, will build strong communities in the future Johnson thanked the churches across the state for making children a priority. “Education is the great equalizer of opportunities. If we can ensure that all students have that equal shot at a great education, we can fulfill our moral obligation. We have a moral obligation to every student that they have an equal opportunity to succeed.”
Bishop Ward noted that the partnership with the Eastern District of the AMEZ can be witnessed the Harbor and Sound Districts where congregations are already working together to fulfill the focus and mission of C4C:
- Helping to improve K-3 Literacy rates (volunteer tutors, collecting/donating books, summer reading programs, etc.)
- Helping to meet the Basic Needs of students (food, clothing, supplies, etc.)
- Helping to increase Parental Involvement (and interactions with positive adult role models – i.e., Watch DOGS, lunch buddies etc.)