NC Conference churches are encouraged to provide support and services to the schools by addressing three primary areas of focus:
- K-3 Literacy
- Basic Needs
- Increasing Parental Involvement and Interactions with Positive Adult Role Models
Many of the churches in the NC Conference of The UMC have started C4C partnerships over the past seven years. And even if your church is already involved in ministry with a school, the C4C model can enhance what you are already doing and bring it into alignment with the three main areas of focus.
How can your congregation help?
The number and types of ministry services a church can offer to a school varies, depending on the resources of the church and the needs of the school. The following chart offers several common examples:
In addition to the services above, C4C trainers can provide Poverty Awareness Training to church volunteers.
Some Important Points:
- C4C emphasizes quality over quantity. It’s better to do one thing very well than to overextend.
- C4C emphasizes sustainability. Be sure to carefully evaluate sustainability before you start anything. Whatever we start, we want to be able to sustain.
- C4C emphasizes building a great working relationship with the school principal. Everything starts in the principal’s office. Partnerships are designed around what the principal identifies as the highest priority poverty-related needs at their school. Everything a C4C church does is to be done with the blessing and permission of the principal and in compliance with school policies and relevant state/federal laws.
