Thankful for Our School

The following was written for the Church in Georgia which requested an article on King of Peace Episcopal Day School. What was specifically requested was an article which would update the Diocese as we received a $25,000 grant through the United Thank Offering. Below is what I will submit based on the start of my work day yesterday (with photos taken at the time):

It’s 8:30 a.m. as I arrive for work at King of Peace. I enter through the entrance for King of Peace Episcopal Day School, slip through the sign in area at the front desk and into the 2 year old class. The teacher’s aide is sitting on the floor reading a story to several children in the Library Center. Other kids are playing with dolls and blocks in other centers while the teacher is working with a child on creating a craft with the letter “M.”

Getting a few hugs from the students, I pass through the room and enter the 3 year old class. The teacher is doing fun motions to go with words starting with the letter “F’ and the students are clearly enjoying the lesson.

I should go on to my office, but I can’t resist completing the tour, so I walk into the 4 year old room where the teacher is going over the calendar and the students are eagerly answering questions about the day, date, season and more. Then I enter the toddler room where the children are putting away their books to get ready to move on to circle time.

With a staff of 16 and 65 students, The Preschool is a busy place from opening at 6:30 a.m. to closing at 6:30 p.m. It is like this Monday through Friday 52 weeks a year. Some days, like this one, I am stopped in my tracks and faced with the miracle of this ministry.

First, and foremost this school is a miracle. Having been involved every step of the way, I can assure you that there have been a lot of miracles large and small that got this ministry off the ground and flourishing.

Now we are a vital part of our community with an enviable reputation and an embarrassingly long waiting list. I know this is largely because of the remarkable staff with whom we have been blessed from our Director, Gillian Butler, to the high school students who come in afternoons as part of a work study program.

Beyond that is the support of the church which made this possible and the ongoing support of the parents which helps us thrive and grow. We are now working toward both state recognition as a Center of Distinction and national accreditation as we continue to “up our game.”

But the reason I write is because none of this would have been possible without that essential grant of $25,000 from the United Thank Offering which allowed what was then a small congregation at King of Peace Mission to even consider seriously starting a school. So the impressive sights and sounds of a busy preschool which started my work day today was made possible by your faithful support of the little blue boxes of the U.T.O. And for that I am joined by my congregation and our school in being very thankful.

–the Rev. Frank Logue, Vicar
King of Peace Church