|
The Early Childhood Encourager
Northwest District LCMS - Education Services
|
|
December 7, 2009
Messiah Lutheran Preschool
Linda Visness, Administrator
Prosser, Washington
|
|
 She had tears in her eyes when she looked up at her teacher and said "They're hurting him". Preschool co-teachers Wanda and Amy were using resurrection eggs, shown in the photo below, to teach the Easter story. It was this very effective teaching method that so touched the little girl. Wanda expressed that on this day she fully realized the importance of her job. When asked to talk about their experiences with the children Amy and Wanda made it difficult to select just one of their many stories for this article. God's presence is readily evident as these teachers continue a tradition of nurturing young lives in a ministry that began sixteen years ago.
The Preschool at Messiah Lutheran Church of Prosser Washington began in the church basement with one teacher and six pre-kindergarten students. The original teacher donated her time for two years before the school could offer even a modest stipend. In 2001 Messiah Lutheran, with an all volunteer labor force, constructed a new two room school house and the class moved out of the church basement. Today the school serves 56 young students. 
In 2008 Messiah opened its Child Care Center in the newly converted parsonage. The Child Care Center provides day care to 21 youngsters between the ages of one and five and after-school care to another 15 children. A modest expansion of the Child Care Center is currently in the planning stage.
A high point in the children's experience involves Messiah congregation members. They serve as "Mrs. Memory", regularly visiting the classroom to listen as each child recites, orally and in sign language, his or her weekly assigned bible verse. Wanda and Amy are anxious to expand the role of Messiah parishioners to new activities as they continually strive to add to the learning experience.
Kindergarten teachers in the local public school system have been very assuring in their feedback, reporting that Messiah graduates show well advanced social and academic skills. And that little girl? She can tell you not just about the soldiers hurting Jesus, but all about the good news of Easter as well.
This message is from "A Thankful Servant" at Messiah Lutheran Church and Preschool.
Linda Visness, Administrator
Messiah Lutheran Preschool
801 Luther Lane
Prosser, WA 99350
(509) 786-2011
|
| SAVE THE DATE: Early Childhood Director's Conference- April 9-10, 2010, at the Clarion Hotel near the Portland Airport (same location as last year).
Mark your calendars for now. More details will be coming. |
