As summer comes to a close, some of us are eagerly anticipating routine & having kiddos back in school. While others are determined to hold on to summer for as long as possible. I think I naturally fall into the latter camp. Our kids are now grown, so those back-to-school rhythms don't affect us like they once did.
I look back on back-to-school shopping fondly though! New outfits, running shoes and the long list of school supplies, which were required but often sent home unused, but labeled! At one point I thought of opening a stationary store out of our garage. But as I think about back-to-school season today, I am reminded that not every family experiences it in the same way. For some, the cost of new cloths, shoes & school supplies can create financial stress.
At CLA we believe the church is called to be a blessing beyond our walls. Annually we participate it the Back-to-School Event that provides kids with backpacks filled with school supplies & basic toiletries. We take this opportunity to come alongside families to remind them they are seen, valued & loved.
I wanted to leave you with an encouraging story. A couple of weeks after BC BOL at Douglas Park & Nicomekl schools, Liv Chandra was volunteering in kids church when a mom and her daughter came to CLA for the first time. When Liv asked what brought them, the mom shared that her daughter received a BC BOL, when she saw that box, she realized that she wanted to return to church. She said CLA had been such a support to their school community, so she bought her daughter a Bible & they came. These touch points in the community are made possible through your generous support in both time and resources. We couldn't do it without you!
To volunteer with our Back-to-School Event we are looking for volunteers to help fill the backpacks & delivery drivers, for more info you can email lchandra@clachurch.com.
To give towards this project you can give in person or at www.clachurch.com/give choosing City Serve-Langley in the drop-down menu.
Thank you for being such a generous church, I just love that we are known in the community as a trusted place that people can come home to.
