The beginning of the school year is a very special time of year. There are lots of excitement and anticipation for many as they enter into a new grade and have a new opportunity to meet new friends or be part of new Clubs or sport teams. But, just as much excitement as there is for a new school year, there can be lots of stress and anxiety associated with it. School isn’t alway a great place for students or families.
While some schools across the country have already gone back to school, many more counties and states will be going back to school in the coming days and weeks. What can your Church do for those going back to school to encourage others in your community? Here are some tips and ideas:
- School Supplies Giveaways. Here you could offer school supplies for those in your community who are in need. A lot of places do that at the beginning of the school year, but this doesn’t need to be just a one time offering, it could be somethingi you do throughout the year. After all, students run out of school supplies all year long so this could be a continual offering throughout the school year.
- Provide Parent Meet Ups. These could be in person coffees, Zoom gatherings or a combination of both. These meet ups could be great ways for you to connect with parents but also connect other parents with each other. You could offer tips and encouragement or just provide ways for parents to connect with each other. Not all parents have outlets where they can go, share and be encouraged. Providing these meet ups from time to time can be a great ministry opportunity as you support and encourage other parents.
Play dates. Just because school starts doesn’t meant kids and teens can’t play together anymore. Provide opportunities for students to get together and hang out. This is something you host at your Church or at a local playground and it could be a weekly hangout or something monthly.- Tutoring. Every year students of all ages need help in school How could would it be if your Church offered FREE or reduced cost tutoring for students. This could be a unique way for high schoolers to tutor elementary school students. The great thing is that the tutoring could be online or in person which creates a variety of opportunities for students to learn and grow academically.
- Teacher Gifts. There is a teacher shortage right now. Teachers have felt under attack the last few years and have been putting in longer hours than usual to try to best teach students. Teachers get weeks where they are appreciated, but how much more appreciated would they feel if people from your Church served and supported them all year long? You could adopt a school or a teacher, providing gift cards, encouraging notes, breakfasts or lunches for them.
- Care Packages for College Students. This could be done in a variety of ways. If you have college students in your area, you can go and give care packages for those in school. You can bring cookies and other treats as they start school, but also as they study for mid-terms or finals. This could be in connection with a group or organization at the school, or you can just do this as something your Church does. Another way you can do this is by connecting with families in your Church or around your community where you send those students treats and encouragement. Again, it could be done in person or you can send gift cards (a digital element) to them. Students would love a Starbucks or a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.
Conclusion
The school year presents a unique opportunity for your Church to serve people in your community. These are just a few ways that you can do that in person and online. But, there are more opportunities. Work together as a Church and think of different ways you can serve your community during the school year. The more you can look to serve your community, the more opportunities you have to show the love of Christ to them in a variety of ways. When you do that, it could help open up opportunities for spiritual conversations and life transformation down the road.
What do you think? What other things can your Church do this school year to serve your community? Share your ideas below or on social media.
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