New Media Center at Morning Star School, Outside View

“A new Media and Learning Center will open the door to a universe of resources for Morning Star School students,” noted Delores Barr Weaver. “Their time at Morning Star School will be greatly enhanced by having this gateway to greater knowledge.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (PRWEB)
December 20, 2019

An unexpected phone call and donation from Jacksonville philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver places Morning Star School, a K-12 special education school for children with learning and intellectual differences, within inches of scoring a major goal.

In 2016, Morning Star School began a five-year, $1.6 million campaign to expand beyond 8th grade and build a high school. The new building nearly doubles the size of the existing campus, adding two wings with eight classrooms and a state-of-the-art media and learning center. To date, the campaign had raised $1.25 million, but the Media and Learning Center had not yet received a naming donation.

“The outpouring of generosity from the Jacksonville philanthropic community has been amazing, but as we approached our fourth campaign year we still needed $350,000 to reach our goal,” said Maria Johnson, director of development for Morning Star School. “We used savings and a loan to build our new high school so completing the campaign on time was crucial for future success. To receive a call from The Community Foundation saying Mrs. Weaver wanted to help was thrilling. We were honored and overjoyed.”

After touring the school and careful research of the project, Mrs. Weaver, through the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, agreed to help Morning Star School complete the high school campaign by naming the school’s new Media and Learning Center for $250,000.

“A new Media and Learning Center will open the door to a universe of resources for Morning Star School students,” noted Delores Barr Weaver. “Their time at Morning Star School will be greatly enhanced by having this gateway to greater knowledge.”

Additionally, Mrs. Weaver will also match up to $50,000 in donations to raise the remaining $100,000 needed to complete the campaign.

“Morning Star School has demonstrated the need for and the community investment in the Building a Brighter Future capital campaign as it has progressed,” Mrs. Weaver continued. “By issuing a challenge grant, I hope to inspire others to join me in supporting a successful finish to this worthwhile campaign.”

Morning Star School is open to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade who have learning differences, attention deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual differences. Students are from diverse backgrounds and come to Morning Star School from Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, and Flagler Counties. The Delores Barr Weaver Media and Learning Center will be named in early 2020.

About the Delores Barr Weaver Media and Learning Center

The mission of the Delores Barr Weaver Media and Learning Center is to nurture collaboration and hands-on learning. Research has demonstrated that students with learning differences learn better when they are fully absorbed in activities and experiences that engage a variety of senses. Because seating will be easily reconfigured for a variety of functions, the space will be used for all aspects of learning and will quickly become a very special gathering space for all students across the curriculum.

With state-of-the-art Wi-Fi capabilities, the new space will provide students with the flexibility to use iPads, laptops and smartboards for large group and/or small group instruction. Hands-on activities include STEM projects in science, art and music, as well as group research for literature and social studies. Portable iPads and laptops feature voiceover, assistive touch and guided access to help students learn at their own pace while smartboards combine touch technology with the ability to write and erase over any application. High school students will also use the Media and Learning Center for life-centered education to help support independence through schedules, prompting tasks, paying bills, shopping and social skills.

For more information about Morning Star School or to contribute additional funds and receive a matching donation from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, people can visit the “Building a Brighter Future” capital campaign at the Morning Star School website at http://morningstar-jax.org/building-campaign/.

About the Delores Barr Weaver Fund and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Delores Barr Weaver Fund was established at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida in 2012 to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that do work she has supported over many years and to encourage others to do so as well. Mrs. Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy, and she has provided transformative support to dozens of nonprofit organizations that uplift, enlighten and advance Northeast Florida. Her establishment of the Delores Barr Weaver Fund ($50 million) was the largest gift in the Community Foundation’s history. The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, now in its 55th year, has assets of more than $384 million and has made more than $500 million in grants since 1964. For more information: http://www.jaxcf.org.

About Morning Star School

Morning Star School in Jacksonville, Florida (http://www.morningstar-jax.org) is a K-12 school serving children with learning and intellectual differences, attention deficit disorder and autism spectrum disorders. Fully accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference, Morning Star School is the only special education school in the Diocese of St. Augustine and takes pride in its diverse students who are welcomed regardless of background or religious affiliation. Teachers and staff work with each individual student and partner with parents, therapists and medical providers to provide each child the opportunity to reach their highest potential. Morning Star School is perpetually at capacity and is raising funds to expand the school and its services. For more information, visit http://www.morningstar-jax.org/building-campaign.

Media Contact:

Beth Strautz

info@vaguspr.com

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MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
December 19, 2019

“2nd Sunday Morning Glory”: a heart-touching account that sheds a gleaming light on the readers, allowing them to be enlightened that suicide is not a solution to whatever problems they face in life. “2nd Sunday Morning Glory” is the creation of published author Jane Ann Crenshaw, a woman who exhibits her love for the Lord in everything she does. She is a person of courage, understanding, and faith. She has also been a student of life, listening to the rhythm of the world and family.

Crenshaw writes, “In the absence of the preacher, Jim the elder was called to visit a woman who had lost her husband. She was desolate and was threatening to commit suicide. Jim was called by the mother of a child who attended the Sunday school. I went with him that morning. As we drove to this home, Jim was at a loss as to what he could do or say. This was something out of his realm of expertise. We had prayed before we left the house, but Jim was anxious. God was putting this woman’s life in his hands. I picked up the Bible from the console and said, ‘Maybe I can find a verse that will help you.’ I opened the Bible randomly, and a verse jumped right out at me. I read it to him, ‘For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour, what you ought to say.’ (Luke 12:12, NIV). As we pulled up in front of her house, Jim said, ‘Mark that page.’

“We quietly walked into this home. Jim was directed to the woman in need. He talked with her, prayed with her, and read the scriptures of comfort and encouragement. He was with her for a long time. When the situation became calm, we took our leave, and the woman who contemplated suicide continued to live. We never heard if she made a place for the Lord in her life, but we knew that He had taken up permanent residence in ours. We felt it. We saw it. We were lifted by His might and encouraged to keep on keeping on. God is real!”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Jane Ann Crenshaw’s new book shares a wonderful reading experience to the readers as the author lays down all her experiences from the ups and downs of her life.

With this book, Crenshaw aims to give the readers a hope to hold in life so they may be able to realize the beauty of life and see it the next day in glory.

View a synopsis of “2nd Sunday Morning Glory” on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase “2nd Sunday Morning Glory” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “2nd Sunday Morning Glory,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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He has done many things for me and He will also do many things for you.

CHOCPAW, Okla. (PRWEB)
December 18, 2019

Author Hellen Payton shares her personal testimony in a unique format in Precious Minutes with Christ($9.99, paperback, 9781498486262; $4.99, e-book, 9781498486279). Her love for her Savior is evident in the letters she shares.

Payton has written her ongoing conversation with God as she realized who Christ is and what He has done.

Payton says she hopes “to witness for Christ to tell of things He has done for me. To tell of an Almighty God He is and what He will do for any who trust Him. He has done many things for me and He will also do many things for you.”

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Precious Minutes with Christ is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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“God does not need our fancy words or our carefully memorized scripture…He feels our hurt. He collects our tears in a bottle and the Holy Spirit groans with the pain that we cannot adequately express. Sometimes all we can muster is the uttered name of Jesus. That is powerful. And that is enough.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (PRWEB)
December 18, 2019

Jada McClintick’s new book summarizes her conversations with God about daily life, her struggles as a woman, and her reflections when going through difficult times. Her talks with the Lord cover various topics, from finding meaning in mundane house chores to opening her heart to dating again. The book’s title, 54:10: A Woman’s Honest Talk with God about His Unshakable Love, is taken from her favorite verse from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament.

Every chapter of the book talks about an aspect of the author’s life, from the beauty of friendship to the sins she committed before and after welcoming Jesus into her life. While explicitly discomforted by admitting her mistakes on paper, she surrenders her shame to God and uses her experiences to teach and comfort others who may be going through something similar. She also shares that He allows these painful moments to happen to give people a chance to grow stronger and closer to Him.

“God does not need our fancy words or our carefully memorized scripture in order to rescue us. He feels our hurt,” After going through her divorce with her first husband, the author’s life slowly fell apart. She developed insurmountable doubt as she connected her self-worth to the success of her marriage. However, after reciting the most heartfelt prayer to Jesus, He comforted her. “He collects our tears in a bottle and the Holy Spirit groans with the pain that we cannot adequately express. Sometimes all we can muster is the uttered name of Jesus. That is powerful. And that is enough.”

Jada McClintick, upon building herself up after every obstacle, encourages her readers to have a support system comprising of different people close to them, with God as the main source of guidance. She cites her own circle of friends as her support system or “tribe” outside of her family and marriage, wherein every member would be responsible for lifting up one another and maintaining a healthy spiritual and emotional balance. Much like armies in battle fighting to protect their land, having trustworthy allies can strengthen one’s defenses against fear and doubt, which the enemy sends to lead God’s children astray.

Other than having a close-knit circle of friends, Jada McClintick expresses her admiration towards different people like Mary, the mother of Jesus. This example of faithfulness set by this teenage girl proves to be admirable for the author, especially for women living in the digital age. Total surrender to God’s plan, with no regard for the social consequences or the opinion of other people, takes true courage that the author admits is difficult to muster. It also requires the acceptance of earthly life’s lack of permanence—as it is only through Jesus that one can gain eternal life.

Similar to having friends and exemplary people to follow, one must look to the Lord for strength in order to overcome any and all challenges. Like how Mary trusted in the Lord’s purpose for her, one’s heart must be open in order to serve as His instrument for others. “There is nothing that can hold you back from what I have planned for you. You are worth more to me than all the stars in the sky. Everything you have experienced has been preparing you for what I created you to do. I chose you. And nothing will make me change my mind.”

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