JERE WHITSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MINISTRY

Jere Whitson Updates (Blog)

During Mid-June 2009 Senior Pastor Max Mayo put out the call to the Adult Sunday School classes to help with this new ministry to assist Jere Whitson Elementary teachers and students.

Max explained that, "the need for this ministry is great because many of the students at Jere Whitson are at risk because of poverty. We hope to break the cycle of poverty and tangibly demonstrate Christ’s love as well as our own, our church will be entering a partnership with the Jere Whitson Elementary School. By state records, 100% of the student population at Jere Whitson is listed as being economically disadvantaged. We hope to fill the role often filled by an active PTA."

In the following weeks Connie Albrecht, Lynne Maddux, Karla Bennett, and Elinor Ross stepped forward to be Team Leaders in this ministry. A letter was mailed along with a copy of a Volunteer form to be filled out to serve various support roles needed at the school. Attached you can download the .pdf Volunteer Form that can be completed and submitted. Additional forms are also available at the church office.

In the letter that was mailed on August 6th, 2009 the Team Leaders stated:

"Our church has entered into a partnership with Jere Whitson Elementary School, where the vast majority of children are economically disadvantaged and over 40% are Hispanic. This school, which suffered from a devastating fire two and a half years ago, is reopening in August at its original site. We are committed to supporting the Jere Whitson faculty, staff, students, and families as we reach out into the community.'

'We invite you to become a participant in our new ministry by volunteering in one or more of the areas given on the enclosed revised list of opportunities. Each of you has certain gifts to offer that would benefit the children in some way, and money is always welcome, especially since school budgets have been cut. You may turn in the completed form to the church office or to one of the team members listed below. The school will need time to sort out its needs at the beginning of the year, so we will wait until after Labor Day to contact you about your placement. At that time, we will offer a brief orientation to the school so that you will be comfortable working there.'

'We enter into this partnership prayerfully, believing that "In Christ's love every child is our child." We thank all of you who have already given money or graciously volunteered to provide services for the school, and we look forward to working together in this volunteer ministry."

Since then numerous Cookeville Methodist Newsletter articles have been published to provide the members of the church with updates and "Wish List" items that are needed at the school. We plan to offer updates on the success of this ministry in our church bulletin, newsletter, and website.

Sign up to volunteer