A Few Good Minutes…

 

Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

The history of Bellevue Christian School is brimming with examples of families coming together to support the school beyond paying tuition. The 1st building on the Clyde Hill Campus was constructed mostly with volunteer help. Moms organized “clothesline sales.” Dads cut down trees to make way for building expansions. Families volunteered to get the grounds in shape. Volunteers operated a thrift store. We are not immune from the changes that have put pressure on family schedules, so things once done by volunteers have now been professionalized, either by BCS staff or with an outside vendor. Costs have gone up; the communal sense of ownership has gone down. It seems the higher the cost of a BCS education, the less willing people are to get involved, either by giving their time or their money.

There can be little doubt that trying to prepare students in the 21st century with approaches that originated early in the 20th century simply won’t work. But there is one aspect of the 50 & 60s BCS experience well worth returning to: serving and giving.

 

We need more volunteers. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the playground, field trips or events, the activities BCS plans cannot be executed in a way that promotes excellence without an abundance of help. The bigger the event, the bigger the need. At times we need commitments to serve over an extended period of time (e.g., planning for Jogathon); at others, just a few hours will suffice (e.g., chaperoning a field trip) This year we have two remarkable parents, Heidi Sweeney, and Michelle Neal, co-chairing our March 23,2019, Signature Event. Their request is audaciously simple: everyone participates. You can volunteer to help the committee plan the event or serve the night of; you can encourage your company to join as a sponsor; you can provide an item for the silent or live auction; host a table of ten or simply be one of the 430 people we need to fill the venue at the Bellevue Westin. Reach out to let us know how you can help at events@bellevuechristian.org.

 

Each of us has a role to play in strengthening the BCS community. As a wise friend once said, “You can pretend to care, but you can’t pretend to be there.” Will you show up?

 

In His Name,

Kevin M. Dunning

Head of School