Partnering with the parents is one of the most powerful ways to promote a sense of communal ownership in a child’s learning experience. Indeed, it takes an educating community including their families to make them learn and grow in many aspects. One of those is to boost their spiritual growth which has been catered by the Friday school workers and teachers. It would not have been possible and fruitful without the help of the parents through their follow-ups and guidance.
How we partner with parents has evolved as we continually communicate on platforms remotely. We have had this eagerness to connect and meet them all in one time or setting by appreciating their active roles, highlighting some of the positive spots in the ministry, and anticipating some of the issues that have consistently surfaced throughout the past few months.
Like the curricular setups, we have conducted our own PARENTS-TEACHERS conference. We have considered changing this old nomenclature into “PARENTS-TEACHERS FELLOWSHIP.” The use of the word “FELLOWSHIP” is inclusive for us Christians to honor Christ while developing community, communication, and appreciation between parents, teachers, and students (kids’ group) of OECC. Each parent is encouraged to take an active role in Friday school functions and contribute to their child’s total learning experience.
The said fellowship was conducted on January 22 of this year through an online Zoom meeting. We have organized the whole program so that everyone could actively participate. The flow was directed by teacher Vanessa Zabala. We made sure to uplift the spirit of positivity and love with our warm greetings to each of the attendees. The event was blessed as teacher Hazel Olayres led the praise song and opening prayer. We could not move on with the brain-racking ice breaker activities and games of teachers Rheg Molar, Cha De Leon, and Malou Ancheta. It was indeed an energy-boosting dose to make us alert on a weekend morning.
Thereafter, we were overwhelmed by the inspiration and love of God for Bro. Louie Layon had graced the event with a devotional message. It was followed by the “Do’s and Don’ts” of teacher Doneth Garcia, which are intended to gently remind and encourage the parents of their role in the Christian learning community.
The proposed time was extended when the “opening forum” had uplifted everyone, especially the parents to speak up with their concerns and suggestions. The teachers were grateful for the comments and ideas from the parents for us to serve the ministry better. We finalized the event as Sis. Cathy Layon led the prayer.
We want to thank God for allowing us to see the “gifts” in each one of us as we, teachers and parents, continually partner together to serve Him through the OECC Children’s Ministry. We are excited about what God has planned for the ministry this year!
Let me share this scripture text as we go on and make the most of our partnership:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-12
