by Michelle McFarland

Bethany sits exactly one block away from McClure Middle School. During any given weekday at around 2:15 pm, you will see kids by the dozens spilling out onto the sidewalks and at the bus stops, chatting loudly with friends. If you’re like me, I’ve teetered between thinking, “wow, it’s been a looooooong time since I was in middle school” to “gee, I wonder how I could interact with these kids.” In addition, with close to 60% of McClure students being of color and living “off the hill” (many take the bus from as far as Northgate or even Renton), I’ve wondered how to make them feel a part of this mostly-white, mostly-affluent neighborhood that I call home.

As a neighbor and a future McClure parent, I have a personal interest in the school. Further, as a Bethany member and a part of the year-old “Race & Justice” team, I have been challenged to think about ways to live out Christ’s call in one of Bethany’s five directives: “How can I (and we, as a church community) pursue loving relationships across racial barriers, particularly in our Seattle community?”

Fellow Bethany-ite, Megan Levene, who has been leading a thriving Young Life ministry with McClure students for six years, planted a seed. During a brief visit one day, I asked her what her vision was for McClure, her ministry, and how Bethany might come alongside her. Her “answer” was a “question”: What would it look like if Bethany adopted McClure and opened its doors to kids? She explained that breaking the cycle of poverty through mentoring and education gives kids a vision for life. Bethany could provide these kids with an opportunity for support and encouragement that they may not be receiving at home.
From that moment on, I felt a pull from God to pray about what this might look like. After talking to Pastor Lynne and others, I found that I was not alone. Other people had been praying and dreaming too. God was on the move!

A few weeks ago, we held an informal “discussion” about a possible Bethany-McClure partnership. Twelve people met, sharing one thing in common: a desire to love and serve McClure kids. We prayed for discernment, as we seek to create a sustainable, loving ministry that, above all, brings honor to Christ.

Here’s the vision: Beginning this Fall, Bethany would open up its doors once a week to McClure students after school (approximately 2:15-4:00 pm). Kids would eat a hearty snack, play some games, and then move to the parlor for one-on-one tutoring. Kids would work with an adult tutor/mentor (ideally the same person each week) to study and get homework help. Building relationships would be key!

The opportunities to serve and to be blessed by these students are endless: tutoring, snack-prep, praying, even providing a work crew to help beautify the school grounds.

Though there are still more questions than answers, we are moving ahead, with the Spirit’s prodding. Please join us in praying for discernment, for folks who have a heart for this ministry to step forward and for the many details that need to be ironed out. Consider attending our next discussion time on Sunday, May 4, at 3:30 pm in the parlor.

Want to know more? Please contact Pastor Lynne Faris Blessing (lynnefaris@msn.com, 284-2222, ext. 12) or Michelle McFarland (michelle.mcfarland@gmail.com, 352-5820).