In a few short weeks school begins again! And while we don’t know what exactly School Year (SY) 2022-23 holds, we know Who holds the future. It is an exciting season for Ephrata Mennonite. We are looking at, Lord willing, the last opening school day at 598 Stevens Road, after no less than 76 years. We can see the new school being built just up the road. Please pray that God would continue to guide the construction and funding of this project. Pray with us that God will allow us to be in the new school debt free! All that aside though, the most important part of school, the people, go far beyond any brick and mortar project. As a Christian school, we must never confuse our “what” (the school building/s) with our “why” (discipling students in the way of Jesus). The real mission exists even without buildings! 

We are humbled to be a part of the sacred and holy work of teaching and training our children. You, as families, bring to us your very best, your own children, to be taught and discipled according to the Word of God. I was reflecting the other day with Tonya, my wife, on the profound moments we are privileged to enjoy with you and your children - from their first day of school to their graduations and all the highs and lows in between. Our children are imago dei (Latin for image bearers of God) and it is a tremendous opportunity and gift to know them and to live life with them. They are our most valuable resource. People are the most important part of life and by loving and serving them, image bearers of God, we are loving and serving God. As Jesus himself taught us, in as much as we love and serve the least of these, we love and serve Him.

Please pray for us this year. Pray that we would be gifted with humility to learn and grow in Christ. Most importantly we want to “be.” We teach the most by who we are. The extent to which we are Kingdom Citizens, Lifelong Learners, Teamplayers, etc - is the extent to which our students will become these as well. A common folk proverb, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” articulates the principle Jesus taught, that when a student is fully formed he is like his teachers (which of course includes parents, ministers, youth advisers, etc).

Our core value of the year is Teamwork. We are envisioning a yearlong training for staff and all secondary students around what it means to be an effective team player. For this effort we will be using the work of Patrick Lencioni’s three books: 1) The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, 2) The Ideal Team Player, and 3) Six Types of Working Genius. Throughout the year periodically ask your children what they are learning about teamwork. We idealize graduating “Team players” who have the skills and character to function well as church members, youth team leaders, Sunday School superintendents, etc. So please pray specifically that we could build a strong team and class units here at EMS this year.

This year our children will have the opportunity to memorize most of Romans 6-8, a scripture that contains profound theological truths and joyous good news. As we walk into the year I’ll leave you with a portion of this scripture. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death…For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)

Mr. Joshua Good

Administrator

Summertime Progress

I hope you are all well and enjoying a bit of a relaxed pace this summer. Incidentally, I often get asked, “So what are you going to do now that school is out?” To be sure  the atmosphere feels calm and laid back without the energy and vitality (and surprises) that 380 students bring to school every day, but this summer it also feels especially active as we are preparing a number of new initiatives (new Bible Reading program, new Math program), and of course, managing a new school project as well. 

The walls are still going up! The school is taking a definite shape. You can see classrooms, hallways, stairwells and many other things. Lord willing, this month, the gym will be erected. The building committee is meeting on a bi-weekly basis to go over plans and details. We have had a couple of generous people donate time to haul the bricks and blocks to the new site. The red brick is starting to be laid on the back of the school.  So far we have had a safe, smooth journey and progress is being made weekly. Thank God for good weather! 

Also, thus far we have enough funds to move to the next stage of construction.  We are praying that God would continue to provide funds for the project and that we can move in DEBT FREE in June 2023.  We praise God for all that he has provided! We are inspired by the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. By the power of God, her oil and flour never ran out! We are praying that likewise we will always have enough funds each month to pay Hoover Specialist the amount that is due. Please join us in that prayer!

We are still in need of approximately $4.5 million. Every dollar counts!! This month we are sending out a mid-year appeal letter. Please consider giving towards this project. A big thank you to all that have given. If you have any questions or wish to be involved in this work, contact Mrs. Tonya Good at tonya.good@ephratamennonite.org or 717-738-4266 ext 212.

Please continue to pray for us this summer. Pray we could plan well for the new year. Thank God with us that we had all our teacher/staff needs filled before the year was out. Pray that construction would go ahead of schedule and that prices for us remain resistant to inflation. Pray that the remaining bus/van drivers would be found. God bless you all this summer.

Mr. Joshua Good

Administrator