Catch Fire Week 5: Spread Wildly

For several years, I’ve walked by the Oasis Center on Harrison Street and I’d see groups of elementary school-aged children being escorted into their facilities for after-school tutoring.  I’d often peer in and feel a twinge inside me; wondering if there was something I could do to help.  I never acted on that twinge, partly because I’m already volunteering every week reading stories at Frank Mar Head Start and at neighborhood libraries.  I’ve always been drawn to the energy that emanates from groups of children.  And now, we have our own after-school program here at CCUMC -- the Homework Club!  I know that many of us are excited that God has literally dropped this opportunity into our laps.

CCUMC has opened its doors to 57 children, kindergarten through 5th grade, along with a staff of tutors and volunteers.  The CCUMC Homework Club will be operating Monday through Friday through June 17th. This entity has stoked new interest within our church to possibly have a summer program for the children of our community.

How does the Homework Club along with plans to institute a summer program fit into our Eastertide theme of Catching Fire in 50 Days?  How do we know that this program is “The One” that will be the force that touches our hearts and propels us to BE, GO and DO?  Can this be the fire that spreads wildly throughout the community?

Although I’ve been in the jewelry profession for more than 40 years, I feel God steering me towards working with children time and time again.  I’ve been a volunteer for “Books for a Wider Horizon” for 15 years.  And next week I’ll be going on a 3 day field trip with more than eighty 5th grade students as one of their chaperones.  I would have thought that these interactions with children would satisfy that twinge inside me, but it turns out this twinge is actually a spark!

Just last week, Pastor Emily asked if we’d be interested in being a part of a summer children’s ministry: volunteering to teach songs, Bible stories, and lead crafts.  Hmmmm…. Doesn’t this sound right up my alley?  I can feel this spark within me flaring up.  I’m planning on being involved with the CCUMC Homework Club.  And I’m planning to be involved in whatever program we’ll be developing for the summer.  Charlie challenged us last week with the question “Can Do?”  I’m responding, “Yes, we Can!”   I hope that this fire spreads wildly and touches you, too!

- Peggy Woon