Home Schooling in China

Do you ever wonder how families homeschool in other countries?

Have you ever thought about reaching out to them?

This Thurs. March 21 at 2:30 in the FCPC Chapel you are invited to hear Jeyne Lund speak about her experience homeschooling in China.

Jeyne, a mother of 3 children, homeschooled through Berean Christian School here in Knoxville. She is involved in launching and building up The Lighthouse Centre, A Family Centre and Children’s Library Project in the city of Xi’an. This library and venue has resources, given by trained staff who love the Lord, to help raise healthy families in the Lord. A Mobile Library Programme to countryside schools where the need is even greater is also a part of her work. A desire among these families for homeschooling their children in this needy place has grown out of this ministry.

There are young Chinese Christian parents who need friendship and support which we can offer. Come learn how you can possibly help and certainly pray for the faithfulness and blessing of the Lord in the lives of families who want to homeschool in China.

Let us endeavor together to share the love and grace of God wherever He gives us opportunity.

Webb School of Knoxville

Are you a high school student looking for ways to get volunteer hours? Did you know colleges are seeking students who have spent time in their communities volunteering? Here is an opportunity for you!

Webb School of Knoxville is looking for outstanding high school students who are interested in being Volunteer Counselors for 1 or more weeks during the summer! They are looking for leaders who are good with children grades 1-5. Hours are from 9:00-2:00 Monday through Friday. A full, hot cafeteria lunch is provided to you each day.

If interested please contact Lisa Haskell (lisahaskell@tds.net)

Joy Drive

Hello Thursday Connection Friends,

I'm Autumn Mitchell and I attend Thursday Connection. I am doing a "Joy Drive" for the Jessie Rees Foundation. Jessie was a 12 year old pre-olympic swimmer. In 2011, she was diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors. During her 11 month battle with cancer, she noticed the feelings of loneliness and seclusion that the other kids felt. She wanted them to feel happy again, so she began to collect toys and put them in jars for the kids. Soon, JoyJars were very popular. Other hospitals wanted them for their own children, so The Jessie Rees Foundation was born. Jessie's Motto was NEGU ( Never Ever Give Up). JoyJars are a symbol of love, hope, and joy to children battling severe sicknesses. I will be holding a Joy Drive to collect toys for the JoyJars from March 14th to April 18th. The box to put the toys in will be located near check in at Thursday Connection. Please see the attached links for the Jessie Rees Foundation and toys approved for the JoyJars. They are as inexpensive as a pacifier, fun socks, or markers. We can do so much if we all help together. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at finishstrong@gmail.com.

For more information on the Jessie Rees foundation, go to www.negu.org 

Thank You !
Autumn Mitchell

Opportunity for Service Hours

Hi Parents,

As you have noticed, we have some concern about the breakroom population between the hours of 11 and 130. We have quite a few high school and upper middle school students who are spending a lot of time in there. We have discussed this issue with the church and Pastor Kevin has given us a list of projects for which he would love to have some teen help. We tried to get some volunteers on Thursday from the break room but the teens were really just not interested in having their social time interrupted. So, we are pleading for some help from the parents. Could you please encourage your older kids to volunteer to help with some of these projects so that we can have more space in the break room? The projects aren’t hard……things like helping with bulletin boards, helping Pastor Kevin brainstorm for some community youth events, helping with a promotional video for the church, etc….. We could also use the teens to help in childcare, work as teacher aides, etc… Teens who participate will be able to get hours of community service validated.

We are looking at creative ways to empty that break room! Please help us so that we aren’t forced to limit the kids who can be at Thursday Connection for lunch next year. If you have ideas, please let us know. Email Claire at claire@thursdayconnection.org. 

Thanks.

Mission of Hope

Mission of Hope, Phone 694-4673, needs items that are new or gently used for infants - teens. Items include clothing, shoes, socks, underwear, hygiene. items, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, formula, strollers, car seats, high chairs, cribs, school supplies, backpacks, toys.

Please think of them as you are doing your summer cleaning, yard sale leftovers, etc.

Call them for more info and drop off times.

Also Anglic Ministries on Central Ave. is always in need of items. They give away free to those in need. Just about anything and everything is needed and accepted from food, household items, clothing, furniture, hotel samples, cleaning supplies, etc.

They also need volunteers at both locations to help sort and distribute. This would be a good "mini" mission trip for families this summer.

Do You Love Horses?

STAR, Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding, is a non-profit program that challenges mentally, physically and neurologically disabled persons through the use of horses. STAR is 90% volunteer based and always welcomes new volunteers to be a part of our team. With the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, STAR continues to provide life-changing experiences for our participants.

Our Therapeutic Riding classes are year round and consist of 5 sessions each year, i.e. Spring Session (11 weeks), Summer Session (8 weeks), Fall Session (11 weeks), Mini-Term (2 weeks), and Winter Session (6 weeks).

Requirements: Minimum commitment of 1 ¼ hours per week; same day/time for duration of session Dependable & responsible Positive attitude Able to work independently Able to walk for 30 minutes; some jogging required Adequate body size, strength, and experience for specified task No horse experience necessary

Lesson Volunteers (13 years and older) STAR’s Lesson Vols assist our riders during their one hour class time. They help with the grooming and tacking process and act as a sidewalker during the mounted portion of the lesson. A typical class consists of four riders with one to three volunteers per rider. We train all of our volunteers by providing Lesson Volunteer Trainings prior to the start of every session.

Junior Volunteers (10-12 years old) Our Junior Volunteers help with preparing the tack (equipment) for each class. Each rider and horse requires specific equipment and our junior vols are responsible for making sure that all of this is ready for class. Junior Vols also help clean stalls, sweep, or clean the barn area during class time. They are not directly involved with the lessons until the age of 13. STAR also provides training for our Junior Vols prior to the start of every session.

Other volunteer opportunities also available. For more information, please contact Melissa Suadi at (865) 988-4711 or volcoord@rideatstar.org. Also, visit our website at www.rideatstar.org.

Mobile Meals Volunteer Opportunity

Below is some information about Mobile Meals. I really feel like it is a great volunteer opportunity for home school families. The Mobile Meals program serves noon meals, five days a week and holidays, to Knoxville and Knox County citizens who are at least 60 years old, who cannot cook for themselves and have no one to prepare meals for them. Though income is not a factor, clients are given an opportunity to contribute to the program as they can. 

Most Mobile Meals recipients are sweet elderly people.  You could be their only visitor for the day. 

If you can:
 • Give your lunch hour once a month...
• Give two hours twice a month...
• Come whenever you can...

 You can deliver Mobile Meals!

Accommodations are made to facilitate the volunteers' availability including satellite locations throughout Knoxville and Knox County for ease of picking up meals and dropping off insulated containers afterwards.

If you can help, or just want more information, please call Jennifer Oakes, Mobile Meals Volunteer Coordinator, 524-2786, or check the website at www.knoxcac.org/mobilemeals 

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