Church Members Gain Skills at Local Training

Rev. Melanie Carey, Clergy Assistant
to Bishop Deborah Kiesey

On February 27, several members of Brighton First attended the Ann Arbor District Leadership Training Day. The morning workshop included a keynote address from Rev. Melanie Carey, the clergy assistant to Bishop Deborah Kiesey.

Rev. Carey spoke about our call to care for the children. She brought sobering statistics. In Michigan 25% of children live in poverty. In the state of Michigan the majority of 4th graders are unable to read at grade level and the majority of 8th graders are not competent in grade-level math. Rev. Carey said that it will not be until we see all children as "our children" that change will come.

Using stories from her own childhood and an inspirational story from a woman who gives back to her alma mater, Cody High School in Detroit, Carey made the case for helping children. She reminded the group that one person offering help can make the difference in a child's life.

We can be thankful that Brighton First offers one of the "predictors" of success for children, a quality early education program, through First Steps Preschool. As a congregation, we offer scholarships for those who apply, but cannot afford the fees.

What else might our congregation be involved in, not just for children in our congregation, but for children in the community? What difference would it make if we saw the children of the Brighton area as "our children"?

Following Rev. Carey's address, church leaders attended workshops on various topics including hospitality, ministering to elder Christians, and building bridges to the community.