Instructions for Living a Life

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. -- Mary Oliver | What astonishes you? What makes you surprised, impressed, amazed? I can honestly say for me I continue to be astonished by how God is at work in Messiah's One Mile Mission (that every child 0-18 living within 1 mile of Messiah's campuses would have everything they need to learn and thrive.)

I don't think I could have imagined how the partnerships with the schools have opened up and the relationships that have been formed. Messiah members are regular volunteers in all of the schools. When we meet with contacts at the schools, we try to not push an agenda, but let them share with us their hopes and dreams. Each school is different. Because of Messiah's generosity, dreams that schools have had for years have been able to be recognized.

Just in the last month Messiah has been able to provide backpacks to all of the teachers at Eisenhower Elementary so that they can have First Aid and emergency supplies whenever they are outside with their classes. Messiah's Endowment team granted Lake Shore Elementary funds for a new inclusive playground. Treats have been provided to Jason Lee and Columbia River for family events to try and help increase attendance. The Ridgefield Family Resource Center is working on a new Care Closet in the schools to help increase accessibility.

If you would like to be part of this life-giving ministry, here a few opportunities coming up:

February 28 from 9:00–10:00a
Read Across America Day at Eisenhower Elementary (reading a book to a classroom)

March 28 from 2:30–3:30p
Club Greatness at Jason Lee Middle School (helping assist with crafts)

Wednesdays in Lent from 6:30p starting March 13
Lenten service projects including making snack bags for school testing

Lunch Buddies at Eisenhower
(once a week meeting with a student)