Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices - Blogs

February 10, 2012

One Church One School

In 2010 our Presiding Bishop called on the Church to respond to Domestic Poverty in her keynote address at a three day conference in Newark titled Called to Serve: The Episcopal Church responds to Domestic Poverty. As part of this address she pointed out that “Schools continue to be an essential part of our ministry of transformation and they are central to addressing poverty.” She went on to say that we are all interconnected, “One of the clearest predictors of a child’s success in life is the presence of interested and unrelated adults.”

In the diocese of Dallas the One Church One School initiative has become a way for parishes to make a difference in their communities as churches have partnered with neighborhood schools in need. The initiative was started by Dabney Dwyer, Missioner for Outreach in the Diocese of Dallas.

The One Church One School initiative brings volunteers into schools to help with reading programs.

The Church of the Transfiguration began partnering with Spring Valley Elementary School in Dallas, with a book drive in 2010 during Lent. Since then, parishioners have volunteered to tutor, read to students, help with field days, enrichment classes and provide financial support for the needs of students. The interest and support of these “unrelated adults” not only delights the children but has made an impact on the adults as well.

Annette Randall who coordinates our efforts at Spring Valley Elementary relates how the children respond to her when she is dressed up in costume to read: “Now when I walk the halls of Spring Valley I hear the little voices say, ‘There goes Cowgirl Annie.’ “ It’s fun to be a girl again.”

Volunteer Maggie Sharer describes her experience this way: “The experience of working with the elementary school children has been nothing short of amazing. I was scared to death at first, but I had made a commitment so I put on a mask. In fact, I put on a whole costume which included a gray wig, makeup and granny glasses. The response from the very first class was so overwhelmingly positive that I haven’t been able to get enough of it since. God is using my creative talents in ways I never would have expected. This is, without a doubt, the most satisfying thing I have ever done.”

Scott Patrick says this about his encounters: “I have so enjoyed reading to the children of Spring Valley Elementary and look forward to doing it again and again. Reading is a personal hobby of my own and I pray that I am hopefully inspiring these young minds to open up to reading and allowing themselves to go places in their minds they never would have been able to go before. I thank God above each day for blessing my life with the ability to read to the children at Spring Valley Elementary.”

Bruce Wittrig plays his violin for elementary school students as part of the One Church One School initiative.

Bruce Wittrig, who is a professional violinist, commented on his efforts. “It was a pleasure to read and play for the children of Spring Valley Elementary. This is a school that makes one hopeful about the future. Music, schools, churches and reading to little kids make the world a better place. To me these all feel more and more of a piece – that intangible that makes life worthwhile and magic.”

It seems that once we reach out to minister, the possibilities for transformation abound. Reading to children is just one example of how school partnerships can be implemented. For more information about possibilities and best practices go to edod.org and click on the One Church One school icon.