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Connie James
Christian service has long been the focus of church groups and parachurch groups. We believe that the life of Christ is full of service, and in our desire to be more like Him, we try to serve as well. Often service is reserved for adults or older adolescents. However, God has placed on our hearts in the sixth grade that service should include all ages, especially sixth graders at CPA. With a vision to see students learn more about organizations that survive purely on donations and volunteerism, we began the first Service Celebration Day this year with the theme, Reaching Out.
Throughout the fall, students researched to identify organizations in which they had interest. Students were challenged to make this an individual assignment in order for God to speak to each student. By the end of the first quarter, students had narrowed their choice to one organization in which they planned to reach out before the end of the calendar year. No time limit was placed on the service, and volunteer experiences varied from a few hours to long-term commitments. Students prepared an oral presentation they shared with their peers. It included why they chose the service organization, how they felt before, during, and after the experience, and what they did at the organization. The presentations were impressive and included visual aids, PowerPoint presentations, slide shows, and photographs. The students were excited to share, and each listened intently to the other’s presentations. Many questions were asked, and the students had become very knowledgeable on the organizations.
The opportunity culminated in the actual Reaching Out, 6th Grade Service Celebration Day in March. None of this experience could have occurred if it weren’t for the willingness of parents to drive, help arrange, and even guide their student in serving. In order to thank them for their participation, the sixth grade teachers and students wanted to share and celebrate with their families. Preparations were made and invitations issued to parents and representatives from the various organizations. Students created amazing tri-fold presentation boards that were displayed throughout the middle school gym in a colorful manner. Parents and guests were able to view the boards at their leisure and speak to the students about the experience while tasting delicious petit fours created to follow the Reaching Out theme. Every student shared the name of the organization in which he/she worked and told how he/she was changed because of it. The day was capped off when CPA alumna, Emily Chapman, ’04, spoke on why she has chosen service as a career and challenged our students to consider a life of service.
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