Congregations for Children

In August 2020, Elaine Lilliston, Fairway District C4C Coordinator, suggested that we address the growing digital divide that was becoming more apparent daily as public school students were being required to participate in on-line learning due to school closures in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. She proposed that we encourage local churches throughout the conference to apply for mini-grants for their C4C partnerships to encourage innovation in offering opportunities to support and enhance on-line learning for our public school children in partnership with local churches.

These “C4C Community Connectivity Mini-Grants” would be funded by C4C with a September 30 application deadline to encourage prompt action on an immediate need. A user-friendly online application process was developed promptly by Derek Leek, NCCUMC Director of Communications, and was advertised widely throughout the conference.

A subcommittee of the NCCUMC C4C Committee assessed every application and provided helpful feedback to encourage successful applications. In just two months, eleven churches and two NCCUMC organizations that work directly with public school children received over $9,000.00 to enhance during- and after-school programs that provide safe and supportive learning spaces equipped with sufficient internet access.

We will be sharing success stories of these grant recipients in the coming months with the goal that other local churches will be inspired to replicate or adapt a model that best fits their own C4C public school partnership.

A recent letter from David Rockefeller, the Conference Director of C4C/UMAPS to District C4C Coordinators, is a great reminder to all of us to make the holistic welfare of ALL children a priority.

“I have spent the morning reading article after article from a variety of reliable news and public education sources that all paint a bleak picture of the future for funding of public schools in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic and the economic impact it has had on employment figures. With tax revenues taking an almost unprecedented hit, state public school administrative agencies, local public school systems, and individual public schools are grappling with ways to maintain personnel levels and to adequately serve the increased needs of students as a result of this pandemic. More needs, less funding at both the state and local levels. 

The commitment of support for our public schools by Congregations for Children is needed now more than ever in its seven year history. Teachers and administrators need to know that their communities are behind them and are eager to be partners in this anxious time. Students and their families need to know that they are not being abandoned in their time of need

Now is the time for churches to redouble their efforts to support their local public schools, concentrating on our three major areas of focus: K-3 literacy, basic needs, and supportive and caring adults for all children. I encourage you to spread the word to your local church coordinators to “keep the main thing the main thing” and focus on those three areas of focus in this unusual time of social distancing. Books, food, clothing, caring notes and cards, reading and tutoring via Zoom, Facetime, or other virtual platforms — whatever it takes to let children and school personnel know that we care.

Let’s share the load with our public school teachers and administrators, offering more than thoughts and prayers — although those are needed, too. As always, finding out what the school needs, as opposed to telling them what we will do for them, is the first and most critical step in building lasting relationships. Then let’s deliver on our promises. I am grateful for your commitment to C4C and for being the hands and feet of Christ in this ministry to our public schools.”

Please contact David at drockefeller@nccumc.org if you’d like more information about how to serve.