A Meal Fit for One Hundred

Ruling Elder Rollie Baldwin  took photos of volunteers from Macalester-Plymouth United Church in St. Paul, Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis and Presbyterian Church of the Apostles in Burnsville were present at the final Freedom School dinner of the year.  The Freedom School is a ministry of Kwanzaa Community Presbyterian in Minneapolis.  In an email sent to the Presbytery, Baldwin, who is a member at  Westminster , describes Freedom School as “a six week, all day program for children and youth in the neighborhood.  It is modeled after the freedom schools founded in the civil rights era.  The emphasis is on improving reading skills and developing a love for reading.  Children and youth engage in community service and broaden their personal horizons through field trips.  Parents meet every Thursday evening to share a meal and develop parenting skills.”

 

Baldwin express gratitude in having a small role in shaping the lives of youth in Minneapolis.  “It was a privilege for all of us to be a small part of this two month summer program at Kwanzaa for 100 children to experience the joys of reading, music, special day trips, swimming, and developing friendships. “

Baldwin ended his email by sharing a wonderful story of service and thankfulness: “When the 100 children had gone through the line and there was a bit of a break before the adults were scheduled to eat, the servers took a break for their supper.  After one of the servers (Judith) filled a plate for herself, a young lad came to the table and asked for seconds, there was a slight pause before Judith said yes and handed him her plate.  His response — “but that is yours”.   He looked very happy as he walked back to his place with ‘Judith’s plate’.”