"Kids know better than grownups, that what we do is more important than what we say." This is a quote from folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger. People are more likely to see what we do than listen to what we say, especially to children and youth.
During the first week of March of each year, ELCA schools and centers will put these words into practice. Teachers and parents learn with their children and youth that actions often do speak louder than words. To accomplish this, they work together to serve others, pray for peace, justice and equality for all of God’s people, live their lives fully through the Gospel message, and reach out to the world with love and courage to make a difference.
The theme of the 2008 Lutheran Shools week was “Walk With Jesus.” And together, teachers, parents and children from across the nation affected change in their schools, congregations, communities and themselves.
Visit this page again to learn about Lutheran Schools Week 2009!
An Affirmation of Lutheran Schools Week
by Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hansonby Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop
During this week, when our schools will be celebrating Lutheran Schools Week, please accept the gratitude of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for your creative, faithful, joyful ministry of education. We are grateful for:
- Living each day in God’s amazing grace. We rejoice in children who, through the ministries of our schools, “once were lost, but now are found.”
- Bringing strength and expanded mission to congregations through outreach into communities. Schools are unique because they are faith-based, community-connected, and congregation-centered, providing an excellent educational experience for students who would not otherwise enter a church building.
- Teaching the children who come to learn. These children learn about the world, words, and numbers, but they also learn about God’s love for the world and for each of them.
- Modeling inclusivity by celebrating the gifts of a multicultural student body and staff.
- Practicing generosity. Last year Lutheran schools raised over $5,000 to purchase supplies for schools recovering from last fall’s hurricanes.
Lutheran schools are “Living in God’s Amazing Grace.” Your ministries make a difference in the lives of your students, your congregations, and your communities. On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, please accept our grateful thanks.