I'm penning this in my office on a Tuesday afternoon...and hearing voices.  No, I haven't gone round the bend (that happened a while ago).  In a time when the building has always been silent, laughter issues from the nearby Fellowship Hall and I am glad.  This week we had a "roll out" of sorts...15 intermediate age students attended a gathering of young "would be" entrepreneurs.  This was not a grand opening of our outreach to the middle school community located all around us in the sense of balloons, confetti, ribbon cutting and a brass band...just a somewhat quiet get together (in prelaunch mode).  We hope gatherings like this might spring up in our building around many themes and times meant to assist the families of students who transition their way through the schools in our neighborhood ...this was the first.  It could be the initial strand of a woven tapestry of ministry we would call "Oasis."

Is this a way to get people to become interested in and join Nativity LC?  God only knows.  We know we will never have an answer to that question unless we try.  But we are not trying it for that rather narrow reason.  Since we are fast approaching the end of the 500th anniversary of Luther's start to the Reformation, we thought we'd test his declaration that "when schools flourish, all flourishes."

Just as we say that churches are people not buildings, so it is with schools.  While the structures may be impressive and helpful, it is the people who count.  And not the administrators or teachers...a school can only flourish when her students do.  I wish I could regale you with all the ways we are sure to help young people grow and thrive...we are a ways away from settling on any particulars of a program.  It is after all a prelaunch.  We do know that it must be enjoyable for the students and deemed worthwhile by the parents.  So I am certain of one thing...it will take a little time for it to take. 

What is enticing is Luther's bold word of prediction and promise.  He doesn't hedge his bets or say some might be somewhat better off.  He boldly forecasts that whole communities become healthy and vigorous when schools lead the way...education is the bell cow of prosperity.  And if we can do something to assist those on our territory, then we shall share in the resulting good fortune.  Right now we are trying to enable the flourishing without flourish. We won't be waving dramatically with exaggerated gestures intended to attract attention to ourselves...at least not yet!

Wish us well.  I hope wherever you are you find one or some to help flourish.  As a result of your risk you may become both a facilitator of and participant in the wider sharing of the rewards...so says Luther!  No argument here.