At Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, Northern Illinois District grant funds have been put to use to purchase large tents to create outdoor “classrooms” for the camp’s E3 program.
E3 stands for “E-learning Enrichment Experience.” Children ages 5-12 from five school districts come to Walcamp on their “e-learning days” for an enriching and stable work environment. Normally, the children would be at home with no in-person contact with other students or teachers.
Though the tents have been put away for the winter, the program continues to bless children. When students are not e-learning on their devices, Walcamp staff engage them in activities that allow children to learn and build friendships, all while following proper social-distancing guidelines.
“The consistency of having a place to go every day is just immeasurable. My goal is, down the road, when [the children] look back at this year, and everyone is saying, ‘That year stunk,’ they can say, ‘It wasn’t that bad, man—I went to Walcamp for a whole year!’” says Bill Indelli, Executive Director. “It’s providing good mental health and [social time]. They’re getting all those things that they’d be lacking, had they just been remote.”
Some of the activities include snowshoeing and cross country skiing, raising tadpoles from scratch, and caring for the camp lizard.
Another grant provided funds for an English as a second language (ESL) class put on by congregations St. John’s, Union and Zion, Marengo.
Members from Zion approached St. John’s hoping to begin Hispanic ministry. St. John’s has hosted ESL classes for ten years, but many of the students live in Marengo. They decided to partner together, moving the classes from Union to Marengo for the convenience of the students.
Currently there are twelve students in the class, four instructors, and one person in charge of childcare. Normally the group would share a meal before the class, though the ability to do that has been limited by COVID.
Pastor Jonathan Ripke expressed enthusiasm that Zion and St. John’s are working together. “When we can communicate and share life with one another, God opens up possibilities for friendship and deeper connection with our neighbors. In all things, we want to share the love of Jesus, and this is part of how we do that–both with those whom we serve in the ESL classes, and with our congregations working together to show our communities that we have one heart and love for our Lord.”
It is that love and heart for our Lord that, nourished by the gospel and overflowing with the life of the Spirit, bears witness to Jesus Christ for His sake and the world’s salvation.
Partnership Grants are normally in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 though that is flexible. Their purpose is to assist a ministry organization in accomplishing ministry initiatives consistent with the mission and vision of the district: Filled with living hope in Christ, Confessing, Praising, and Advancing His Kingdom. District staff will partner with you throughout the process of planning and implementing a new initiative.
Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions and sharing in a world mission field together.