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Parsonage - List of possible uses
Parsonage - Summary of Discussions
Resources Group - Schedule & Charter
The Mission Project & Parsonage - Background
10/15/07 Resources Group meeting notes
7/10/07 Resources & Mission joint meeting
6/24/07 meeting notes
6/12/07 Resources Group meeting notes
5/31/07 Resources Group meeting notes
5/20/07 meeting notes
4/15/07 meeting notes
3/25/07 meeting notes
2/11/07 meeting notes |
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THE MISSION PROJECT APRIL 29, 2007 Next meetings of the MIssion Project: May 6: Focus on Hunger May 20: Discussion of mission we will pursue and resources available to us ATTENDING: Ross Bartels, Judyth Bigelow, Lance Breiland, John Hanson, Kathy Hering, Jay Hornbacher, Kermit Kramer, Steve Maurelli, Lucille Miller, Rick Pepin, Suzanne Pepin, Bruce Sabatke, Mary Sabatke, Jennifer Vaillancourt, Jodi Vollmuth, Lee Wilson, Marlene Wilson FACILITATOR: Lance Breiland FOCUS: Kenwood Tutoring Project PRESENTERS: Janice Peterson and Pastor Mark Peterson, Kenwood Site Council and former interim pastor of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church Janice and Mark reported on Project Starfish, the tutoring pilot program which has begun as a partnership between Lake of the Isles Church and Kenwood School. There are a considerable number of Kenwood children in the lower grades who are behind in reading and/or math. Project Starfish focuses on direct one to one tutoring in math with second and third grade students. Presently there are 9 students participating, 9 tutors (the majority of whom are from LOTI), and 4 drivers who transport children to their homes after the 2:00 to 3:30 session in Fellowship Hall each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. A licensed teacher oversees the program and is paid for her involvement. Inservice was given to the tutors by Minneapolis Public Schools before they began working with the children. To date there have been 5 meetings of tutors and children. The program continues through June 12. Parents of the children have given permission for their children to participate and have signed a contract of cooperation. There is no charge to the family for the tutoring. Kenwood School is a "community school" which draws children from a large area extending north roughly to highway 394, east to Lyndale Avenue, south to 36th st, around the south end of Lake Calhoun and continuing on 38th St. to the western St. Louis Park City line and then around the western side of Cedar Lake. Kenwood is also a Performing Arts Magnet which draws children from an even larger area of the city. Most students are not from the immediate neighborhood. 52% of the children are eligible for free or reduced lunches. It is assumed that most or all of those being tutored are eligible for free or reduced lunches; this information is confidential. Although Kenwood does have three special education classrooms, none of the children in the tutoring program are special ed. Costs to the church include a rider on the church insurance policy, as well as the cost of the licensed teacher who oversees the program. She is paid at the hourly rate proscribed by the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. Howard Dahlgren of LOTI was very instrumental in raising a large sum of money for these costs. There is the possibility of a grant from Thrivent to help in the ongoing costs. As well as academic skills, there is an effort to teach social skills, to improve self esteem and to promote bonding between the child and the tutor. A snack and free time are also important parts of the program! Ideally, Project Starfish would be able to accommodate any child who is referred to the program by the Kenwood social worker, as well any child who wants to come to the program. This would necessitate many more tutors to preserve the one on one aspect of the program. There are afterschool programs and activities available at the Kenwood Rec Center, but there is a "years long" waiting list. The Rec Center would like to partner with LOTI. Highlights of Discussion Many points of view were brought up. Among them: ° The tutoring project does not allow younger LOTI members to participate because it is during most people's working hours. ° 3rd and 4th grade reading skills are a predictor of the number of future prison beds that will be needed. ° A study has shown that second grade teachers are the best predictors of future juvenile delinquents. ° An "Adopt Kenwood" program would enable more LOTI members to become actively involved. New back packs for students in the fall, holiday food baskets, extra clothing to be kept at school, coats, hats, mittens, school supplies, etc. could be collected and given to the school. Local corporations have done so successfully in a number of schools. ° Adopting a school must be approached carefully: it should not be seen as a proselytizing, evangelism project. We must think, "What can we do for them?, not "How soon can we make them Lutherans?" ° We should align ourselves with an established group who is already doing mission work successfully, who has the know how, etc. such as Project for Pride in Living. See Welcome to Project for Pride in Living ° Bridging, Inc. is an example of one man's desire to share resources with the community; it has grown into an organization with a 75,000 square foot warehouse in the Twin Cities. "Our mission is to provide the economically disadvantaged in transition with quality furniture and household items free of charge following a home visit and referral from a registered agency." See Bridging Inc.- Serving Families in Transition ° If LOTI were to call organizations to ask how we can help, the response would be "Let me count the ways." ° We should use our resources judiciously and not attempt to do one exclusive mission project. (NIP is an example of several congregations pooling resources and personnel successfully.) ° We should focus on one project as a centerpiece. If we consolidate efforts as the real calling of LOTI we will attract more people to the project. ° LOTI does not have a critical mass large enough to support many efforts. We need a larger number of people. Efforts should not be just monetary. People need to have a hands on experience to put their hearts into. ° Churches need to partner with other churches and each needs to "become famous" for what they do well. ° A mission project is not a means to increasing membership. In general, you do not worship where you get social services. ° "The place of greatest happiness is where the world's need and your passions intersect." ° What is our greatest passion among all the needs that exist? What is something we can put our hands around? The discussion aired many views and opinions; there was no attempt to reach consensus at this meeting. Next meetings of the MIssion Project: May 6: Focus on Hunger May 20: Discussion of mission we will pursue and resources available to us Meetings are held in Fellowship Hall following coffeehour. A light lunch will be served and childcare is available. |
