I’m not sure how you feel about the 2017-2018 school year, but for my family it’s felt like a bit of a whirlwind! As we near the end of the spring semester, I’d like to provide an update on our church’s Adopt-a-School partnership with Leopold Elementary School.

I’m thankful for the many ways our church family has been able to show up this school year. From getting involved in the Schools of Hope tutoring program, to providing material needs such as mattresses for a family and snow gear for students, and stocking the school’s ten little free libraries, the Church is letting this school know we care. Did you know we were also able to provide a scholarship for a student from Leopold to go to a national “Safety Patrol” conference in Washington, D.C.? Leopold’s principal told me how thankful they are that we could help make this opportunity a reality.

I’m also excited to share two upcoming ways we get to partner with Leopold. First, their annual one-mile fun run, the Timber Wolf Trample, will be held at the school on Saturday, May 12, at 11:00am. A Parent Faculty Organization representative who runs the event approached our church, as well as Blackhawk Fitchburg, to ask if we could support them with volunteers on the morning of the event and by providing some food and water. What an easy “Yes!” If you’re able to serve that morning, you can arrive anytime between 9:30-10:00 a.m. to help set up the food service area and prepare food, then serve the meal and/or cheer on the student runners. Clean-up after the meal will conclude between 12:30-1:00pm. This is a wonderful service opportunity for young families and anyone else who’d like to help out. Even if you’re only able to be there for an hour or two that morning, your time will be greatly appreciated, and you’re sure to have some fun!

Second, in cooperation with the school and the Fitchburg Public Library, as well as some fellow yogis from Perennial Yoga & Meditation, I plan to offer some fun, free yoga classes for children and their families at Leopold Park this summer. The library is coordinating afternoon programming at the park four days a week over a 7-week session this summer (June 18 – August 2); those who are going on Higher Ground’s high school mission trip in Madison may even get to help with this. There will also be a lot of fun ways for families to play together on Tuesday evenings during these seven weeks, and yoga will be one of several drop-in activities in which people can participate. If you can help with this for an hour or two on some of these Tuesday evenings between 5:00-7:30pm — it’s okay if you have minimal or zero yoga experience! — or with the Timber Wolf Trample on May 12, please let me know.

Would you join me in thanking God as he leads us to discover and celebrate the many ways we can use our bodies, minds, and hearts to get to know our neighbors and co-create a stronger community?