You just never know when an opportunity for ministry will present itself. A couple of months ago, I read that in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is one age-appropriate book for every 300 children. (More reading statistics are available in a report from the National Endowment for the Arts.) As a book-lover, I was appalled by this statement and commented as such to a friend. The next thing I knew, we were in the midst of planning a way to address this issue in our little corner of the world.
The idea that was hatched in that casual conversation was adopted by my weekly covenant group and has matured into “Books for Books” – a used book sale and coffee-house event that will happen in April. The money raised through this event will be used to purchase books for the children at an elementary school which our church has a partnership with. Our goal is to purchase two new books for every child at the school, regardless of income status. We are working with the school to provide books that are age-appropriate and of interest to the kids. The books will be distributed at the beginning of summer break.
We are currently in the process of collecting used books through our church, from our friends and from the teachers at the elementary school (and from anyone else we think might give us books!) Our plan is to schedule readings of local authors during the morning as an added attraction.
Since this ministry idea is “in progress” I will have to keep you posted during the next couple of months. The development of this project has reminded me that there are ministry opportunities all around us, just waiting to happen. Be open to the Spirit’s working!
~Sally Hoelscher