The Kingdom Assignment
Kingdom Assignment: "Instruments on Peace Music Program & Scholarships
I'm very pleased to share that my Kingdom Assignment via the "Instruments of Peace" Music Program (including Scholarships) is continuing to be blessed with broad based support from First Baptist Church in Midland and the Great Lakes Bay community. I’ve been continuing to work to put “music and musical instruments in every students hands” by working on a more global level where I serve on the National Support Music Advisory Council sponsored by the NAMN(National Association of Music Manufacturers ) As a result, the two local music stores in Midland, Mid-Michigan Music( for the second year) as well as Camp’s Music, who join in this past year, are partnering with me as well on a local level via the Great Lakes Bay Region.
This past year, I was truly blessed to be asked by a couple of local public schools music/orchestra teachers to come into the classroom during the weekdays to coach their orchestra/string bass students at the following public schools: Saginaw Township White Pine Middle School, Dow High School, Central Middle School and Jefferson Middle School In addition, I continue to provide mentoring and recruit other adult music mentors for over 50 students on a weekend basis to the Saginaw area ACT-SO Youth Enrichment Program. Also, The Instrument of Peace (KA) sponsored two (3 day) Music Master Classes for 30 middle school and high school students by bringing in Dr. Michael Woods, a College Music Professor from Hamilton College. NY.
In addition, this past May, I worked with and was the Master of Ceremonies for the Annual “Live” Orchestra Demonstration Concert Presentation to all Elementary School Students from the Midland Public Schools and local Parochial Schools sponsored by the Midland Symphony Orchestra. We had @ 1000 students, teachers and parents in attendance at this ? day event held at the Midland Center for the Arts.
Furthermore, this year I partnered with Saginaw Community Foundation in a new project called “A String Instrumental Program” which exposes all Saginaw Public School elementary schools to the orchestra by providing a string instrument( violin, viola, cello and double bass) to all interested elementary school students. This past year over 100 students participated in learning to play one of these string instruments for the first time in the Saginaw Public Schools. This is truly a new benefit of a new generation of Beginning String Players.
With regards to music instruments this past year, I received from various people in and outside our church the following donated musical instruments for students: (3) clarinets, (5) guitars w/1 electric guitar amplifier, (2) saxophones and (2) trumpets. To date, musical instruments with an estimated value of over $3000 have been donated and given to many students free of charge.
Therefore, I'm so thankful that people are continuing to support my KA efforts either through monetary donations and/or musical instruments and sheet music donations to enable the "Instruments of Peace" Program to continue to meet the musical needs in our community-at –large. All these students are so Blessed By Your Support!Regards,
Roland Wallace
“Instruments of Peace” Music Program—Kingdom Assignment
Kingdom Assignment: Knit For Kids
Knit for Kids is a program started 15 years ago by Guideposts magazine to provide sweaters for children all over the world. When the sweaters are outgrown, the children hand them down to family and friends. A single sweater may warm many children over the course of the years. The program has grown large enough that distribution has been turned over to World Vision. Sweaters can go anywhere in the U.S. or overseas, where there is a need. First Baptist got involved in September of 2009. Many people contribute by knitting or crocheting sweaters for children. Others contribute yarn. A few sew sweaters together or package and mail them. Kingdom Assignment funds have gone to shipping sweaters to the distribution point and to purchasing yarn. (How we love a yarn sale!) Participants can come to monthly meetings and fellowship with others or just put their sweaters and yarn contributions in the bin in the Narthex.
To date, our Knit for Kids group has sent out 110 sweaters! And, we have enough on hand to send out another shipment! We are so grateful for everyone who has participated--and each one who has, has received a special blessing. Monthly meetings continue (on the third Tuesday night of each month). People find it relaxing to come together, talk, and knit or crochet or sew sweaters together and tuck in loose ends. Everyone helps out. It's wonderful to see how creative First Baptist people (and their contributing friends, are.) Yes, lots of people who are not of our church also contribute sweaters--some individuals have given many sweaters.
We think we have been good stewards of the Kingdom Assignment funds with which we were provided. At this point, we have used all the funds--we stretched them a long way--and are hoping others will help us out. It costs about $10 to mail a box of children's sweaters to World Visiton. It takes about 3 skeins of knitting worsted (#4) yarn to make a sweater. Together, we are making a difference, one warm child at a time.
Submitted by: Elaine Parsons
Kingdom Assignment: House of Mercy
The house is at capacity, including one child at present. We continue to provide comfort bags for the women and children. In addition to the bags and quilts, bedding and clothes were donated this year. We appreciate the donations of items and money for items to help keep this ministry going.
This year someone who grew up in our church, due to unfortunate circumstances, found herself homeless. She is now on staff and helping other women. House of Mercy needs a larger facility, so far that hasn't happened.
Pray for these women as they begin to know God through witness and daily study while they try to rebuild their lives.
Submitted by: Elaine and Anne Poindexter