Nothing happens without building relationships
When we see the big partnerships that have formed between schools and churches already, it is easy to forget that these connections must have grown over time. Schools Worker for St. Columba’s Church of Scotland (Bridge of Don), Sue Thomson came into her role when these connections had already been built between the schools and the church but was under no illusion that these partnerships grew overnight. Even in the midst of all the projects they continue to develop, the core of the work is building these relationships, allowing something to grow and investing in the need that they see before them.
Sue recalls a project that she was part of leading that included the whole community in November 2018 for Remembrance Day, which brought together 9 schools, 3 churches and many other aspects of the community, including senior citizens, in the area. The project was called ‘Bridge of Don Remembers’ and involved the schools learning about Armistice Day and what that had meant to their community over the years. This programme allowed the schools to fulfil the curriculum for learning around this topic and encouraged the students to explore different expressions of learning through features like an art installation. It also empowered the students to lead many of the events for themselves, gain connections and build relationships throughout their community. All this in one event allowed the community to come together for one purpose, in a way that connected people - all the while the church was aiding and facilitating the students and schools in their implementing of it all. This was huge, and an incredible project for the church to be a part of in the area. Reflecting on the project, Sue talked about the importance of being bold and putting ideas out there even if you weren’t sure how the school would receive them, approaching new ideas with a “why don’t we do this” kind of attitude, where they open up the conversation of the idea with the community.
“Nothing happens without building relationships” Sue emphasises as she reflects on this project and the general involvement that the church has had with the local schools. “It is so important to continually be putting the work in, checking in on how [the staff] are doing and nurturing these relationships”. The most recent project in the community called 10 Must Know Bible Stories, has been developed in partnership with the school and the church through these relationships that have grown over time. The project allows students to explore Bible stories in-line with meeting curriculum learning needs through project-based lessons. This has been a big breakthrough in developing a project that can be used in a variety of areas that can benefit the school, while also exploring the Bible. But it is not lost on Sue that this was only really possible because of the already existing relationships with teachers who knew they could trust them. Nothing happens without building and nurturing those relationships, and you never know how God could be using and nurturing those connections for more opportunities and a deeper sense of community.
