With a portion of Solanco middle and high school students attending school online this year, local pastors and other individuals recognized a need to ensure that students have access to safe places with reliable internet connections. Memorial United Methodist Church (UMC), 101 S. Hess St., Quarryville, served as the pilot location for the Solanco Community Learning Center (CLC).
"It's a partnered effort. Multiple organizations are working on it," said Memorial lead pastor Chris Eden. "This was developed with the intention that other churches could do this in their own spaces."
Along with Memorial, the CLC includes Solanco Family Life Network, Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, Encounter Church, Wesley Network, Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church, Solid Rock Youth Ministries, Providence Church, and more. Organization representatives meet weekly via Zoom and are advised by school district representatives.
"This is probably the most cooperative ministry I've ever been a part of," Eden enthused. "Everyone just wants to help the schools out."
Memorial's virtual classroom began operating on Sept. 16. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students must provide their own electronic devices and bring their own lunches. Thoroughly vetted adults will supervise the classroom. There is space for 37 students positioned at least 6 feet apart. Eden noted that if a school shuts down for quarantine, the church will double capacity by locating students in other rooms in the building. Because space is limited, students must register to attend by visiting http://www.quarryville.church/clc.
While Eden is currently supervising Memorial's CLC program, he will soon turn it over to Eddie Adams, who began working as Memorial's new youth pastor on Oct. 19. Adams grew up in Lancaster city and earned a degree in youth and young adult ministry from Lancaster Bible College. He previously worked for LCBC's Hanover campus, but he and his wife, Caleigh, wanted to move back to Lancaster to be closer to family.
"Marrying (Caleigh) was the best decision I ever made outside of trusting Jesus," Adams commented.
Adams credited his mother for introducing him to the Christian faith, but he did not fully embrace it until high school, when his best friend invited him to attend LCBC's Lancaster campus. Adams could have studied social work at a university on a partial track scholarship, but he opted to enroll at Lancaster Bible College instead. "I want students to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and to live life for Jesus," Adams explained.
Speaking on his second day at Memorial, Adams said he hopes to build relationships among the youths and adults in the congregation and then within the community. He wants to encourage adults to engage with young people in the community and help them find churches where they fit, even if that is not Memorial. Adams expressed excitement to be part of a community of pastors who care about students and work together to support each other even as they support youths and young adults.
"We have technology (for building relationships) at our fingertips," Adams said. "This season exposes a lot of what students need. They can't be in their rooms alone. They're hungry for connection, and they're hungry for Jesus. If we provide authentic community, people will show up."
For more information about Memorial and its programs for young people, readers may call 717-786-2941 or email office@quarryville.church.
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