I am convinced that one of the best kept  secrets here at Ascension Lutheran Church is our Hand in Hand Christian Day School.  Begun back in the mid 1980's as an outreach to our community, Hand and Hand has served as one of our most important outreach ministries as a congregation.

 

In the almost twenty years that our doors have been open, we have served a variety of children from virtually all walks and ethnic back grounds from 2 years of age through pre-kindergarten.  Open from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon, our day school is licensed to serve 51 children, and 37 are currently enrolled.

 

In every way, we seek to share Christ's love with all those who enter the door. I am blessed to share in chapel time with the children every week. Although I'm never sure where it will lead, we take time to talk with one another, to pray, sing songs and listen to a Bible story. It's a time to share the story of God's love with children who in some cases have never heard the story before.

 

Hand in Hand is a truly wonderful place for children and a big part of that is our dedicated staff: Director Debra Miller, assistant director and 3 year old teacher Angie Gage, teachers Meredith Browne and Sharon Hill (2 year old class), April Youngs (4 year old class), Sandra Rodriguez (pre-kindergarten class) and Lori Wallace who serves as volunteer music and art teacher not to mention as chair of our new Parent/Teacher Organization.

 

We're also thankful for those special volunteers who have made Hand in Hand such an important priority in their lives through the years, most notably Leon and Janette Peterson and Eric Gerstmann.  Through the years they have given generously of their time and other resources to make sure that Hand in Hand continues to be such a wonderful place for the children of our community.  The current day school board members include Matt Domsch (chair), Debra Miller, Don Bergstrom, Pastor Brian Peterson, Jenny Peterson, and day school parents Robin and Isabel.

 

There is some new excitement and energy at the school these days. In addition to the PTO, Debra tells me that a "Safe Families" fund drive is in store for the holidays. In the spirit of giving, the children and their families will be "adopting" a needy family providing gifts, food, clothing and other items. A Celebrate Literacy campaign is under way in which the children and their families keep track of the books they read together. Once a certain number of books are completed, a book will be donated to a needy child.

 

The other day, I asked Debra how other members of Ascension could be of help to our day school. She offered some great ideas. You might consider coming to read to the children, sharing a cooking project or a science demonstration, maybe you could come and teach the children your favorite outdoor game, share some special music or a new song. Of course prayers are always needed too.

 

You are always welcome to come by and see all the great things that are going on.  Contact Debra at 512-345-5335 to find out more, or to inquire about current openings.

 

Lord, thank you for our Hand in Hand Day School. May it continue to be a blessing to us and our community.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Pastor Brian Peterson