Whitefield Academy has several community-building events planned for this Friday and Saturday as the school launches into a new year.
Beginning Friday morning, this year’s first All-School Chapel will gather students, faculty and parents to worship together as one body in Christ, led by Director of Spiritual Life Allison Duncanson and anchored by the school’s longstanding, tearjerker tradition of Kindergarten students joining with the senior class of 2019 as they enter the chapel service together. A host of other community and faith activities will also occur, including the first 2018-19 gathering of the Whitefield Men’s Fraternity, and the annual Parent Prayer Kickoff, where dozens of Whitefield parents gather to pray for Whitefield students, coaches, teachers and staff. The Whitefield Men’s Fraternity group is composed of more than 80 dads, who meet each Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. for Bible study, fellowship (and strong coffee) to start the day. Weekly lessons include guest speakers, videos, small group interaction and time for reflection and journaling. The group enjoys fun and fellowship together, resulting in many strong friendships.
After a busy Friday of worshiping, sharing and praying with each other, the entire school community will participate in Whitefield’s second annual Great Day of Service. More than 1000 volunteers composed of students, parents, faculty, alumni and even grandparents will join together in serving more than 30 local charitable organizations around Cobb and metro Atlanta on 35 separate project teams. The teams will tackle needs ranging from sorting food and organizing shelves at local food pantries, to building hygiene kits, landscaping work and much more. As the project teams fan out across the metro area, they will be focused on serving and ministering to those in need. Families will work together, teaching younger children the joy and value in helping others.
Whitefield’s Great Day of Service was started in 2017 by a small group of parents led by Becky Matherne of Smyrna, parent of two Whitefield students, along with faculty and school administration. As Matherne notes, “This day is about providing an opportunity for us to live out our school’s mission statement, which seeks to bolster Christian families in rearing young people who go on to college and life with a passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus. What better way to practice and demonstrate to our children putting “others ahead of self” than serving those in need?”
The school is still feeling the excitement from last year’s inaugural event carry over to this year as plans for the 2018 Great Day of Service are solidified. Whitefield spokesperson Cindy Fennel said, “Last year’s event was a powerful testament to who we are at Whitefield Academy, and we are thrilled to bring out even more volunteers to serve the community this year.”