Organizing My Thoughts

As the leaves rustle in the street below my open window at the Stewart Center and the building sits cool and silent without the usual clamor of children, staff and volunteers I find myself in a reflective mood.  Weeks ago when consulting my calendar I marked the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving as days to “get organized.”  For quite some time I have allowed papers, folders and the like to accumulate on my desk, and recently, in what appears to be a sign of surrender, I have also allowed them to take up residence on the floor behind my desk; hoping no one will see them as they enter the room.  As unsettling as the physical clutter can be the disarray that characterizes my email inbox has persuaded me to check email on my phone so as not to encounter the deluge of messages waiting to be processed. 

As I scurried about this morning saving, filing, deleting and trashing I encountered numerous emails and papers that reminded me of people and events important to the Stewart Center’s ministry.  One of the unearthed folders contained documents dated 11.25.09 which brought my organizing to a screeching halt and eventually led to this rarest of occurrences, a blog post.  I first began serving at the Stewart Center the week of Thanksgiving in 2009. 

As I look back over the previous two years I am reminded of the physical, organizational and personnel changes that have transpired.  Thanks to countless volunteers, faithful funders, supportive board members, steadfast churches, committed employees and engaged community members the Stewart Center is in a better place today than it was two years ago.

The Stewart Center staff has consistently embodied Jesus’ love with our neighbors in Reynoldstown and the surrounding communities of southeast Atlanta.  Some of the original staff remain while others have gone on to serve in places like Washington, D.C. and Gulu, Uganda.  Over the past couple of years the Stewart Center has been blessed with extremely talented and passionate people willing to give of themselves in order to enrich other’s lives with the love of Christ. 

On this Tuesday before Thanksgiving I want to express my deep appreciation for all those that have “loved God and neighbor” through the ministries of the Stewart Center.  The Stewart Center has been serving in Atlanta for over ninety-five years, which means that I will never know most of the people that have worked so tirelessly and given so much to make the Center all that it is today.  Whether you helped move the Center to its current location in 1950 or read books to the kindergarteners last Friday you are a part of the storied and ever-changing history of God’s work through the Stewart Center.  From one guy that has benefitted from the Stewart Center’s ministry, thank you.

Now, with the witness of the Stewart Center’s resilience fresh in my mind I venture back to my piles of paper and emails to finishing organizing my office before I take a much needed break…actually, organizing will probably go smoother after some turkey and dressing….Happy Thanksgiving. 

Clayton

The Singularity of People

Amidst the spirited summer atmosphere one might think that I would be acutely aware of the individuality of each child, volunteer and staffer.  After all, it is during summer camp that the staff, volunteers and children have the most intimate contact with one another.  Even though I have spent much of my time in the office this summer I log many more hours with the children during summer camp than I do during the after school program.  Despite this added time with the children my mind often obsesses about my responsibilities as executive director. 

As director I am fixated with numbers.  How much money do we have?  How much money do we need?  What is the needed number of volunteers? What is the needed number of staff members? How many community partners do we have? How many funders do we have?  My mind is constantly concerned with the size and scope of our organization. 

On Thursday of this week one of our best staff members, Trey Sullivan, completed his final week of service with the Stewart Center.  Trey is headed to Washington, D.C. to engage in other worthy pursuits but he will be sorely missed in Reynoldstown.  As an after school tutor and summer counselor Trey helped lead our academic enrichment efforts.  As a part of a summer staff full of remarkable people Trey’s commitment and enthusiasm for the Center’s children exemplified Christ-like service. 

As I reflected this week on Trey’s involvement with the Stewart Center I realized that the nature of his contribution is rare in community ministry.  Trey never sought personal benefit from his ministry at the Stewart Center.   Although I am sure he was blessed by the relationships he formed with the children it was obvious that Trey was absolutely sold out for the betterment of the kids he taught.  Trey’s enthusiasm and passion was infectious among the other staff, volunteers and children.

Trey did not pursue brownie points, gold stars or pats on the back.  He served for the sake of service and in so doing reminded me that each staff member, volunteer, child and contributor is singular in their contribution to the Center’s ministry.  The number of staffers, volunteers, children, and funders matter but it is the individuals in those groups that help make the Stewart Center community a reflection of God’s Kingdom.  For each person that has passed the way of the Stewart Center since its founding in 1916, we who currently serve are indebted.

We are grateful to Trey Sullivan for the lessons he taught us all.  Good luck and God bless, Trey.

Peace,

Clayton

Summer Slipping Away

Seven weeks of summer camp have been completed and the academic year is quickly approaching.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like yesterday that our summer staff was arriving for orientation and people were calling with last minute inquires about available spots for camp.  Seven weeks later and there have been multiple field trips, countless popsicles, many Bible stories, numerous trips to the Grant Park pool and an insane amount of four square played.  Needless to say the staff is tired. 

Thanks to our overburdened staff and numerous volunteers, this year’s summer camp has been extremely uplifting and run unimaginably smooth considering we have 60+ children, ancient facilities and a limited budget.  For almost two months the Center has been alive with the wonder of children and the creative capacities of their young adult counselors.  Despite the scandals that have rocked Atlanta Public Schools or the current economic conditions or the extreme heat or the chaos that exists in many of our camper’s lives this summer has not been lost at the Stewart Center.  The children’s minds have been enriched, their spirits lifted, their hearts encouraged and their bodies strengthened.  These positive realities did not occurred by accident.  They are the result of the hard work and faithfulness of our staff, volunteers, community partners, and funders as well as the children and their families.

As we enter the final two weeks of camp I can rest in the assurance that the Center’s future has been bolstered by this summer’s activities but more importantly that many lives have been touched by the love of Christ.  I cannot say enough good things about our summer staff.  Courtney, Elizabeth, Jeneen, Ashley Hicks, Ashley Hunt, Sydney, Jacque, Trey, Austin, Chris, and Taylor have done an outstanding job of leading the children through an intentional summer of growth and fun. 

Our summer successes are due to the contributions of many non-staff people as well.  If you have volunteered or contributed before or during summer camp you have played an important role in the Center’s ministry.  The Stewart Center’s family of supporters and sphere of influence grow daily and we would struggle to exist without the faithfulness of so many people that care about ministry in southeast Atlanta. 

Thank you for loving and serving the children of Reynoldstown and surrounding communities.

Peace,

Clayton

Some of the 2011 summer staff.

Go Far and Get Close

I am continually amazed at how experiences, like snowflakes, are all different.  Recently I ventured to Washington D.C. with four traveling companions from the Stewart Center.   Although, thanks to family trips and my years with the U.S.D.A , I had been to D.C. on numerous occasions I had never visited the Nation’s Capital with three middle school boys or while playing tour guide.  At the trip’s outset I was intent on providing the young men, along with our chaperon, Austin, with learning opportunities that would broaden their minds and etch long lasting memories into their brains.  Minds were enlightened and memories were made but to my surprise the most important aspect of the trip was the bonds formed within our traveling party. 

During our four days in Washington we visited the Capitol, the White House, the Holocaust Museum, numerous memorials and several Smithsonian museums along with other attractions.  Each stop on our tour brought new questions and knowledge to the minds of our young men.  Equally important as the knowledge gained is that the adventure has now become part of our group’s identity. 

As we boarded the plan in Atlanta it came to mind that for these young men everything about the trip, even their first plane ride, will always be associated with the Stewart Center.  As we stood in silence for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as we stared in disbelief at the Holocaust Museum’s disturbing images, as we cheered the Washington National’s game winning home run and as we spent nights sleeping on the floor of Calvary Baptist Church we formed bonds that transcend our time in D.C. 

I have been on educational trips with school groups and mission trips with church groups but I underestimated, or had forgotten, the powerful effects separation and adventure can have on relationships.  Disconnecting from familiar people, routines and surroundings coupled with activities unique to distance places creates an atmosphere where relationships can grow deeper than they do in everyday life. 

The three young men that went on the trip are back at the Center this summer participating in camp, and although we have returned to our accepted roles at the Stewart Center our relationships with one another are much different than they were during the school year.  At the Stewart Center we are intentional about celebrating people’s identity and building on the strengths of our community.  The D.C. trip, more than any other experience I have had during my nineteen months with the ministry, opened my eyes to the connection I have with the people of southeast Atlanta and the children with which we serve. 

Randy, Marcus and Ty’mon are no longer students I minister with at the Stewart Center; they are friends and young men I hope to be in relationship with for the rest of my life.

Peace,

Clayton 

Read, Read, Read

The Stewart Center took another step towards our emphasis on educational support on Monday, February 7^th when students in Mercer University’s Master of Education program conducted reading assessments with each of the Center’s children. 

Nine Mercer Students along with Dr. Emilie Paille conducted assessments lasting approximately thirty minutes for each child and covering a variety of elements related to reading ability.  After spending some class time evaluating the assessments the Mercer students, under Dr. Paille’s guidance, will produce a reading profile for each child enrolled in the after school program.  These profiles will be given to our staff and used to tailor a tutoring curriculum for each student.  At the end of the semester the Mercer students will return and conduct an exit assessment.  The format of our assessment process allows us to better address the learning needs of our students and more accurately gage the successfulness of our efforts.

The Mercer reading assessment is a part of our larger efforts to provide the highest quality academic support during the after school hours.  We also receive ten to twelve Mercer students each semester that serve as tutors in our after school program.   These Mercer students bring with them enthusiasm and knowledge about educational methods uncommon to most after school programs. 

As the Stewart Center continues to grow its ministry impact our Mercer partnership promises to be the cornerstone of our services with the children of Reynoldstown and the surrounding community.  If you are interested in partnering with the Stewart Center please contact us to find out how your talents might be used to enhance the lives of children in southeast Atlanta. 

Know that you are always welcome at the Stewart Center and remember that the Center is a place where you can Serve, Give, Connect and Create ministry.

Peace,

Clayton Davis

New Web Site

We are currently testing out new web site.  Tune in later this week for exciting news about the Stewart Center.