America in Crisis or Turning Point in Our Nation?
Have you ever thought to yourself or said aloud? "America needs God." It is just that simple. America needs to turn back to God in conversation and in action.
On June 17, 1963 , by an 8-1 vote the United States Supreme Court ruled that school sponsored Bible reading in public schools was unconstitutional. (???)
The case removed God from public schools and altered the understanding of separation of church and state. Many more court cases in the 80's, 90's and 2000 have further cast long shadows on the subject and has removed the Ten Commandments for schools, banned prayer led by clergy and student-led prayer at high school football games. There are a lot of mis-understandings about separation of church and state by the public and schools! There are lots of mis-understandings about the US constitution.
In June of 2001 the U.S. Supreme Court made Equal Access in America more clear.
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Good News Club v. Milford Central School District June 11, 2001
It is legal to allow Good News Club® to meet in school facilities.
On June 11, 2001, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that Child Evangelism Fellowship® could have access to public school facilities to conduct Good News Clubs. The decision stated that Bible clubs such as the Good News Club must be given the same access to school facilities accorded any other non-school-related outside group.
In Good News Club v. Milford Central School District, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a public school which allows use of its facilities to secular groups may not discriminate against religious groups. The Good News Club case involved an adult-initiated and adult-led after-school religious club sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship. (CEF)
CEF in Illinois and the Southern Illinois Chapter has been training hundreds of volunteers from churches that partner with CEF to adopt-a-school and host and conduct an after-school Good News Club. The Good News Bible Club is for children in grades K-5th.
Volunteers attend a nine hour training, have a nation-wide background check and complete a Child Protection Policy class. CEF sponsors the Clubs and provides liability insurance to the school district.
CEF provides a registration form and every thing needed for host churches to teach the club.
Parents are given an opportunity to register their child if they wish. Every child who attends Club MUST have a signed and fully completed registration form. Club is 90 minutes, one day a week. Many parents who sign their children up for Club express to churches and volunteers their appreciation for taking the time to conduct a fun and meaningful after-school Bible Club.
Good News Club (GNC) teaches respect for authority, the importance of honesty, and kindness to all people. Each week there is a Bible lesson with application for life. Other club activities include memory verse lesson, songs, games, wonder-time, mission story, and a snack.
There are over 6,000 Good News Clubs meeting after-school in every state in the USA. Some states have time-release and GNC is offered during the school day. Illinois is NOT one of these states however, there will soon to be 18 active Clubs in Southern Illinois meeting immediately after-school.
If your church would like to adopt your local elementary school to host and conduct an after-school Good News Bible Club please CALL ME!
Robin
cefsi.com
