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