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Farewell Katrina Lewis

We were planning to recognize Katrina's fifteen years of ministry with CEF at the annual luncheon in May but it was canceled due to the virus. So we, like many others recognizing birthdays, graduations and the like, decided to do a surprise drive-by send off.

Katrina has been involved with Good News Clubs in Mason ever since her children were in elementary school. Now her youngest recently graduated high school and Katrina and the family are moving to Raleigh, North Carolina. Katrina's team often comments what a great leader she has been for Mason Intermediate School and Western Row Elementary School before it closed. She will be missed, no doubt, not only for her leadership but for her sweet spirit and dedication to and love for the Lord.

Members of Katrina's Good News Club team and fellow Faith Bible Church members joined the local CEF Committee for a COVID-19 style send off.

Katrina's husband made sure she was outside when the steady stream of cars pulled up to her house.

The local CEF Committee presents Katrina with a plaque thanking her for her service and leadership.

The Mason Intermediate School Good News Club had a excellent year this past school year and grew to over 40 fourth through sixth graders. In the Mason City School District groups do not send home activity fliers. To get word out, team members promoted Good News Club at the open house held before school started. Fliers were distributed and students registered online for the first time. It was encouraging to hear parents and school staff saying, "we're glad you're here."

Team members are from Faith Bible Church on Kemper Road in Cincinnati. Faith Bible has been involved with CEF for many years and their involvement is invaluable to the Mason area, as well as other areas. We are more than thankful for them.

Did You Know?
In 2019 there were over 6,300 Good News Clubs meeting in schools, community centers and elsewhere in the United States.

Finishing "God: the Creator King" Series at Amelia Elementary School

When schools closed clubs were thinking about ways to complete their teaching series. One very creative way was to make a YouTube video for each lesson missed and invite club students to watch from home. Amelia Elementary School had a very young club of mostly Kindergarten, first and second grade students. Lindale Baptist Church sponsors the club and the pastors and team members put together engaging videos to finish their lessons. Hats off to all involved!

In the first YouTube video Pastor Ja introduces the lesson with Billy who apparently thinks he's the king.

What about Next Year?

If you've been keeping up with the news about schools and COVID-19 protocols for the fall you've likely heard a number of ideas floating around - smaller class sizes, fewer days a week at school with continued schooling at home, teaching students in shifts, not reopening at all until there is a vaccine, and more. Whatever is decided, it is likely that there will be implications for all after-school activities including Good News Clubs. The local CEF Committee would not be surprised if after-school activities are canceled as an extra precaution. This does not mean Good News Clubs are discontinued but that clubs may need to operate differently. The way we see it is that the Lord is sovereign and this is no surprise to Him, the Lord still wants children to hear the gospel and He will be there with us as we look for new ways to hold club.

So what could we do? First, remember that CEF wasn't in schools until 2001 and for the 60+ years before that the clubs were held primarily in homes. Even now not all clubs are in schools but in meeting places like community centers, churches and apartment complex clubhouses. Already one church is thinking about using the church van to transport students to their church for club.

So what's first and most important? PRAYER! Please pray for our clubs as we may need to go into uncharted territory. Pray that we can be in schools and if not, that there are alternatives. Also, please pray our volunteers do not lose heart or become anxious. Philippians 4:6. Thank you.

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