Report from visits with grant recipients: Worship Renewal at Work
Report from Betty Grit:
Entering Muskegon Christian School early Friday morning, I sensed a warmth and community that pervades the halls, classrooms and gym where we gathered to worship. Through a 2006 Worship Renewal Grant, staff and students have designed worship and curriculum that emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ and the richness of differing worship styles across racial and cultural lines with a monthly focus on Vertical Habits. Clear acrylic signs hang in the hall, each with a habit such as “Thank you” and “I’m Sorry” in three different languages. (For photos, see Muskegon Christian’s website.) Middle School students, Anneke and Juwan who were greeted by smiles and hugs from young students as they gave us a tour of the school, described the mentoring, tutoring and small groups within the school which have been created to foster relationships across grades, ages and cultures.
Worship was focused on the Vertical Habit of the month – Blessing. Music, prayer and Scripture reminded us of God’s blessings to us and the ways we can share those blessings with others. We give thanks for Tara Macias and Mary Kuiper Vermeulen who have led the project to teach and practice Vertical Habits to help connect worship with life in their classroom and outside of school. Leaving the school, the sign read “Go Vertical” – a reminder to continue our relationship with God outside the school building.
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