IN REPLY

Luke 10:30

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.”

 

            Does Jesus have a reply when we try to justify our hatred, bigotry or lack of acknowledgement of those in need?  Whenever he directs our eyes to anyone in need he is helping us to see what he wants us to see.  James, the Lord’s brother, warns us that we are not to say to someone without food and clothes, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed". If we do nothing about their physical needs our faith is worthless, it is dead. 

 

“Open my eyes that I may see the needs of others today.”

 

Educators can feel isolated, even in a large, busy school. Educators feel the need to communicate with other educators who share common goals, common ideals, and common values. Nazarene educators want to know there are other Nazarene educators to help and to support them.

The membership of N.E.W. is composed of educators in public schools, Christian schools, homeschools, preschools/early childhood education centers, global and international schools, and the university/college education departments. There are thousands of Nazarenes who are educators. We would love to have them become a part of N.E.W. and share their expertise and experiences with other Nazarene teachers. There are many retired Nazarene educators. They are welcome, and we hope they will serve as mentors for our beginning teachers.

Religious Freedom Sunday is a national event (as part of the National Free to Speak Campaign) when churches honor the educators within their congregations. It is a day to  inform their congregations about the freedom of religious expression students from kindergarten through 12th grade have at school. The theme for Religious Freedom Sunday comes from the Bible verse quoted on the Liberty Bell—“proclaim liberty throughout the land” (Leviticus 25:10). It is in preparation for the president's annual proclamation of Religious Freedom Day (January 16) which began in 1993.

The Church of the Nazarene General Board Bylaws require Children’s Ministries International/Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries (SDMI) to register all Nazarene schools and early childhood education centers operated by local churches.