January, 2003 In This Issue: Survey of Faiths Corazon - A Family's Reflection Epiphany Adult Education Class The Annual Parish Pow Wow Jazz Vespers to Benefit "School on Wheels" Satan's Beatitudes Ordination of Katherine Ann Lewis The Gift of Women's Retreat

by The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy

www.schoolonwheels.org

"Agnes Stevens, a retired teacher, founded School on Wheels in 1993 to encourage the homeless children she saw wandering aimlessly in Santa Monica to stay in school and keep up with their grades and school activities. Today, hundreds of volunteer tutors drive to dozens of homeless and abused women's shelters across L.A. county and work one-on-one to help children whose homelessness prevents them from getting the academic stability and help they so desperately need." (from: School on Wheels website: http://www.schoolonwheels.org.)

I first became aware of the work of School on Wheels through articles in the L.A. Times and last year met the Director at a fundraiser held by one of our members, Joanne Medeiros. I learned that what began in modest fashion ten years ago with two tutors in Santa Monica, has grown dramatically, so that today significant numbers of homeless children in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange Counties receive support, mentoring and encouragement for a better future from literally hundreds of dedicated volunteers. It is estimated that there are 220,000 homeless children in the State of California; 35,000 in L.A. County alone. The need is great and the opportunity rich if we hope to break the cycle of despair and hopelessness grounded in generational poverty. The mission, to shrink the gaps in education for these children, is achieved through one-on-one tutoring, provision of school supplies, assistance in dealing with school bureaucracy and parental support and accountability.

A new thrust is the establishment of Learning Centers in the shelters themselves. These Learning Rooms are designed to be quiet places to study and in which to secure computers, books and other supplies. They are presently established in four shelters, but each of the 45 shelters being served would benefit from creating a sanctuary for learning and care.

http://banddusoleil.com

To benefit School on Wheels, we invite you to attend a benefit "worship concert" of Jazz Vespers to be held on Sunday February 16, 2003, at 3 p.m., featuring international acclaimed trio Band du Soleil. Band du Soleil is composed of trumpeter Gary Ross, French horn player Lawrence Kursar and pianist Rosetta Senkus Bacon. Jazz Vespers is a one hour program of jazz arrangements of spirituals and traditional hymns along with psalms and meditations.

"I found your Jazz Vespers energizing and elegantly done. It was a pleasure to work with professionals of your caliber." (Rev. Canon Robert C. Wright, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City).

"A wonderfully uplifting evening... Band du Soleil's Jazz Vespers combined superb musical arrangements of well-known hymns and religious music with inspiring psalms and prayers ... At a time when we were all still deeply touched by the events of Sept. 11, the Jazz Vespers truly lifted and helped heal our spirits." (The Rev. Elaine Clarke, Anglican Church, Stratford, Canada.)

For a sound sample, go to their website: http://banddusoleil.com

Copyright © 2003 St. Augustine by-the-Sea