“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (“Letter from Birmingham City Jail”):
I am impressed by students at a very special school, Crossroads College Preparatory, in St. Louis Missouri, who say the best thing about their school is the people. From teachers to students, there is a community of mutuality that is inspiring.
I know, I am an insider if you will; my son attends the school. And I had the opportunity to get an even closer look recently when the St. Louis American asked me to write a story on the school for their special edition on education.
Regardless, listen to what Lydia Jackson, a junior at Crossroads had to say, “There is no middle school or high school hierarchy; there is no division by class.”
You should have seen the photographer’s mouth drop. Wiley has taken photos at many schools.
Wiley said, “Where do you see a school community that has no class division? I never have.”
“That’s your story right there!” he told me.
Indeed. It’s a story.
Too bad isn’t it? Too bad it’s not more common.
Here are some ideas you can take-away from the story:
1) Teachers encourage the upper classman to mentor and look out for the younger classman. They teach them the right ways to foster a united community. Their work is deliberate. A united community doesn’t just happen.
2) The mission statement is not just a nice thing to aspire to, the Crossroads community lives it. Everyone – students, parents and teachers – have bought into the mission.
3) A “culture of kindness” is reflected in the fruits of the community – the students have a better learning experience and are more productive in their studies. We can accomplish more when we are united.
4) People who experience a “culture of kindness” see a positive view of the future, they become visionary and hopeful in their approaches and ready to lead out to better communities. Success breeds success.
As Crossroads exemplifies and as Dr. Martin Luther King envisioned: collaboration is a key to success in just about any endeavor. Even in our church work.
See: “Think Outside the Cultural Hall”
What can you do to unite your family, auxiliary or quorum, with others who may be different from you to accomplish the good work of the church and the community?
Can church work be more fruitful if we work with our larger communities?
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