Missions - Outreach
"Go into all the world . . .," Jesus said in Mattew 28:19. While we are building disciples at VCA, we also want them to reach out and touch the lives of others.
Our Missions/Outreach program exists to institute school service and mission opportunities to reach out to our school, community, and world in accordance with the VCA Missions and Purpose Statements.
Reaching Out is what we're trying to do at VCA. In the 2006-2007 school year, we began a brand new missions program in which each grade participates in their own special outreach/missions projects. Each of these projects is age appropriate and some are more interactive than others. We are showing students that some can go and reach out, some can only give, but all can reach out by praying. Parents can help a class project- please click on the Project Leaders name to send them an email.
Kindergartners host a Senior Citizen Tea.
This outreach teaches the students to honor and revere those that are in their golden years. Students will invite their own special guests and make cookies to serve them. The students will make a craft with their guest at the tea. They will recite a Bible verse and sing a special song. This year the kindergartners will join with the 8th grade students and become prayer partners as the 8th graders prepare to go on their mission trip in May to West Virginia. Project Leader is Mrs. Donna Zerull.
First Graders make a gospel tract and plants flowers that are hand delivered to residents in the neighborhood. This project will let our neighbors know that we care and pray for them. The project will take place in late May. Project Leader is Mrs. Diane Roberson.
Second Graders collects school supplies that will be taken to second graders at Waverly Elementary in Cleveland.
They will be delivered in bags with cards that the students have decorated and written. This is done in late winter, when school supplies are lost or depleted. Students learn that children who live in close proximity may not be as fortunate as themselves. Project Leader is Mrs. Elizabeth Shetler.
Third Graders will partner with Aurora Manor Nursing Home.
They will make leaf prints in the fall and deliver them to the residents. They will also take a food gift to the staff. At Christimas and Valentine's Day they will make cards and send them to the residents at the nursing home. In the spring they will make a flower pen and deliver them to the residents along with a food gift for the staff. They will be praying for Aurora Manor throughout the year. This will help children to value those that are not so young or mobile, but still worthy of our time and attention. Project Leader is Mrs. Diane Kelvington.
Fourth Graders make art supply boxes for children that are patients at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
Many of these children suffer from chronic illnesses and spend quite a bit of their lives in the hospital. These art boxes will help them to pass the time. The students will make cards to accompany the boxes. The students will learn to share and pray for the sick and injured. This project takes place in the fall. Project Leader is
Fifth Graders host the annual Veterans' Tea and Assembly in November.
The students will choose a veteran to invite and interview. Their veteran will be honored at a special school-wide assembly. They will learn about the sacrifice men and women make to ensure the freedoms they enjoy in America. This year they will partner with the 7th graders in the spring by collecting socks and soap for the 7th graders to take with them to Cleveland when they minister to the homeless. Project Leader is Mrs. Linda Gilmer.
Sixth Graders go to the Haven of Rest homeless shelter in Akron.
The students will make placemats, cards of encouragement and homemade desserts to take to the shelter. They will be collecting men's socks to donate. We will go in groups of ten and assist in setting up the trays for the lunch meal. Students learn that everyone needs some help from time to time and that homeless people are important too. This takes place in February. Project Leader is Mrs.Linda Gilmer.
Seventh Graders go to Cleveland to feed and share the love of Jesus with the homeless on the streets.
Students will collect men's socks and granola bars to take as their part of this night of giving to others. This project will take place in April and the students will go in groups of ten. Parents are encouraged to attend with their child for this project. Project Leader is Mrs. Jackie Wendl.
Eighth Graders go on a mission trip to the Appalachian Mountains.
This year the students will be going to Faith Mountain in Rosedale, West Virginia. They will be doing work in the community, at Faith Mountain and sharing in a church service. This trip is scheduled for early May. The students will learn on a small scale what missionaries experience in raising their support and ministering in a cross cultural environment. Project Leader is Mrs. Linda Gilmer.