By Allison Detloff — A group of students decide to spend their Wednesday mornings in the accepting, positive environment of the school’s new Prayer and Fellowship Club.
Started by juniors Justice Furno, Amber Hassig and Sienna McArthur with teacher Matthew Cribbs as the group’s teacher adviser, these students wanted to try to create a more accepting school for the entire student body to enjoy together.
“In our church youth group, the Chapel in North Canton, they have been talking to us recently about getting out into our schools and making a difference. So that’s what we are aiming to do, we want to show people that they are loved by Jesus and us,” McArthur said.
During this Prayer and Fellowship group, students talk about what is going on in their lives and how to make it better, even reading pieces from the Bible that they believe may help their fellow club members have a better day.
“We just talk about life. Sometimes we have a Bible story with a great message and sometimes we just chat about our week,” McArthur said.
Anyone and everyone is encouraged to attend, regardless of religious beliefs.
“The club is for everyone. We don’t really care about the differences of religion. Our club is open to everyone whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, etc. Even if they have no religious affiliation at all,” Hassig said.
The goal of this club is not to have religious groups isolate themselves, but rather to bring everyone together.
“We want to experience all types of people and make a community that loves and cares for each other,” McArthur said.
At the closing of Prayer and Fellowship club, everyone prays as a group about any pertinent thing that they wish to share with the group, and head to their first class to begin their day.
The group of students in Prayer and Fellowship Club encourages everyone to stop by GlenOak’s newest club every Wednesday at 7 a.m. in Cribbs’ room, C212, to start the day talking with friends.
[Updated Aug. 12, 2017: This article has been reformatted for consistency.]
