As we leave 2024 and move into 2025, it is easy to get caught up in planning and preparing for the New Year without taking time to enjoy the wonders of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. We need to keep facing forward and planning for the next steps but also take time to reflect, be grateful for what was accomplished, and see the blessings that have been provided.
As I wrote this, Grow to Know students were preparing for our biggest program of the year. This year’s Christmas program was called “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” The program drew over five hundred people to the Schweitzer Sanctuary to hear about Jesus through the songs of three-, four-, and five-year-olds. I am so amazed and grateful that I get to witness the story of Jesus through the eyes of children every day, whether that be on a stage, in the classroom, or on the playground.
This past year Grow to Know was blessed in so many ways: building projects, donations, and a fantastic staff. Within the past few weeks, Grow to Know was the recipient of the proceeds from the 2024 Schweitzer Women Christmas Tea. The tea was a beautiful Christmas celebration where the women of the church could relax and fellowship with each other while enjoying great food. Each year the ladies host a silent auction that benefits one of the ministries of Schweitzer Church. The Tea raised in excess of $6500 dollars.
This money will be used to update some of our well-used classroom items, such as toys and rugs, tricycles, gym mats, and a few more items for the little playground.
In November, Grow to Know was able to lay down turf in the little playground and purchase appropriate toys to fill it with. We were only able to accomplish this because of the generous donations from several Sunday school classes at the church. Additionally, fundraisers such as our annual Art Walk, where many of the congregation and parents of our preschoolers bid on the children’s artwork, helped us grow the funds needed to accomplish this goal that has been on hold for almost two years.
As 2024 came to an end, one of our biggest projects was completed. Five years ago, all of the classroom flooring was updated from carpeting to LVP flooring. This year, we were able to update the flooring in all of our hallways to the same LVP. It is a great update and so much easier to keep clean with kids.
Several great women have held the position of Director of Grow to Know before me. I am honored to follow in their footsteps, helping to wcreate a space where children are cared for, safe, and taught the love of Jesus. It has been a true joy to work on and see these projects completed, many of them dreams of others who came before me.