(This is a guest post by Steve Leach.  Steve has been serving with Sojourn’s mercy and benevolence ministry for about a year.)

When it comes to public education, do you feel that you have no voice, that your concerns are not heard?  Christian, be encouraged that “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).  The Lord, who has clearly shown his compassion towards our little ones (see Luke 18), has provided a means, not only for your voice to be heard, but for your decisions to have power.  These opportunities have been identified through the Smoketown/Shelby Park Makeover, a community-wide, multi-partner movement aimed at improving our neighborhoods (See previous SEED Blog here).

The Education Sub-committee of the Shelby Park/Smoketown Makeover will be holding an open meeting at the Presbyterian Community Center, 701 Hancock Street, at 5:30pm on April 12^th.  Representatives from Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Louisville Urban League and the Louisville Branch of the NAACP will be on hand to discuss strategies for reducing class sizes and increasing student services.  These groups lobby in Frankfort on behalf of our children and they are seeking your input.  Meyzeek principal Chris Burba will also be in attendance.  The subcommittee greatly needs resident involvement, even if your kids attend schools outside of the neighborhood.  Two of the six needs recognized for improving the quality of education our children receive are 1) schools and families working together, and 2) church and community involvement.  What better way to demonstrate our love for our neighbors than to flood this meeting with Sojourners?

If you are a parent of a Meyzeek student, you qualify for Site Based Decision Making (SBDM).  This is the governing body for Meyzeek Middle, where your decisions will not only be heard, but will directly affect school policies.  Principal Burba lamented that Meyzeek could not find a parent to fill this important position.  This is a perfect opportunity to bring Gospel wisdom to an area that will have lasting effects in generation after generation.  Do not overlook the fact that a non-Christian organization is begging for church involvement in the lives of their children. This is a manifestation of Christ’s words in Matthew 5.  Whether they realize it or not, these folks are seeing the good works of the church and praising God’s name.

Please prayerfully consider attending the April 12^th meeting (refreshments provided!).  If you are able to join the sub-committee, the next meeting is April 1^st at 5:30pm at the Presbyterian Community Center.  A copy of the minutes from the March 15^th meeting is available here.  Questions about any of the sub-committees, SBDM and/or the Smoketown/Shelby Park Makeover can be directed to Steve Leach at steveleach729@gmail.com.

CORRECTION:  The April 1 Meeting has been cancelled.  Also, the meeting on April 12 will meet at Myzeek Middle School instead of the Presbyterian Community Center.