Education Extra

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School(OLS) recently celebrated Catholic Schools Week focusing on the school’s high-quality, faith-filled education while honoring those who contribute to the school’s success. The week included theme-filled days as they celebrated students, families, faculty and staff, in addition to volunteers, community supporters, and local leaders. 

OLS takes pride in providing the opportunity for academic excellence and achievement, orienting its students toward service and love of neighbor, and establishing a family-friendly environment. As a part of the week’s festivities, the students participated in a special service project. They performed chores at home to earn money for the purchase of books for Better Basics. The nonprofit organization provides books, literacy intervention, and enrichment programs to Birmingham and Fairfield City Schools and Talladega Schools. The children and staff also decorated two trees on the school campus with handwritten notes. Their prayer petitions were written on paper petals and placed on a Prayer Tree, while notes of thanks and blessings were place on another, they call the “OLS Tree.” †

Education Extra

Since 1980 Briarwood Ballet has been offering excellent instruction in classical ballet and dance education within a Christ-centered environment. 

This is no ordinary dance school! Why else would parents drive from as far away as Gadsden and Sylacauga to bring their children to a dance class? It is true that some students have received dance scholarships to major universities as well as to nationally recognized summer ballet programs; some have gone on to dance professionally or even start their own ballet schools. But the uniqueness of Briarwood Ballet is found in every classroom – from creative movement for three-year-olds to intensive workshops – where each student learns that the gift of dance is from God and can be used for His glory.  

Each year Briarwood Ballet serves over 400 students of all ages and abilities with varying goals and aspirations. The school includes a preschool division, a graded division for first through fourth graders, and a two-track program for fifth through twelfth graders to concentrate on either contemporary or classical dance. Ballet performances, unlike recitals, are story ballets written as a vehicle for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Briarwood’s performing companies have also had the privilege of using dance to spread the gospel in many foreign countries including Russia, Cuba, and China. 

This Christmas, you are invited to experience the unique telling of the drama of redemption through dance at Briarwood Ballet’s Christmas production. Light Eternal will be presented at Briarwood Church on Sunday, December 12 at 6 p.m. †

Education Extra

College. For some, it’s a word that brings to life fond memories, a greatly anticipated goal, a task left undone or a barrier that keeps them from moving forward. For the adult who wants to finish what they started or begin a new family legacy, Faulkner has accelerated degree programs designed for working adults with start dates every eight weeks! Classes are accelerated and take place in the evening or online. Masters and doctoral degrees are available online too. The Executive MBA can be completed in just under one year.   

Faulkner Birmingham comes alongside adult learners, especially busy moms and working adults, to give them the support and confidence needed to achieve their goal. The impact of a college degree is so much more than simply achieving a goal though. It has the power to increase lifetime earnings, reduce the likelihood of unemployment, obtain careers with better pay and benefits, plus the graduate’s children often go on to obtain a degree too. It really is an investment in your future and the future of your children and grandchildren!

New Offering. Born out of an interest in providing something unique for homeschool parents and their children, Faulkner Birmingham has added homeschool dual enrollment courses. Our objective is to come alongside parents, umbrella, and church schools by providing an option not available anywhere else. Classes are taught by Christian faculty through the lens of a Biblical worldview. Tuition is affordable at $150.00 per credit hour. Faulkner is SACS accredited which helps the credits your student earns transfer to the college of their choice when they graduate from high school. Registration for spring 2022 begins October 18.  For more information about our Homeschool Dual Enrollment program, call 205-879-5588 or email [email protected]. Also new for the fall 2022, the Birmingham campus will add the Bachelor of Health Science degree. This is a traditional program to prepare students seeking a graduate degree in the health sciences. Four tracks will be available: Speech Language Pathology, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.

Whether looking for a private Christian University for children following high school, going back to college to finish what you started, providing your academically advanced homeschool student a Christian environment with age-appropriate peers as a head start on college or beginning your own college journey- Faulkner University is here for you! Learn more at www.faulkner.edu. †

Liz Lewis, Birmingham Christian Family’s (BCF) 2021 $1,000 College Scholarship recipient, planned to attend Judson College this fall where she also had a softball scholarship. However, while healing from a wrist/elbow injury this summer, she received the news that Judson College was closing. “I was devastated when I learned that my plans had been turned upside down. However, I had forgotten that my plans may not be His plans and Jeremiah 29:11 was continually put on my heart.” Lewis shares that after looking into several colleges, she did not feel at peace with any of them until a friend mentioned that Jacksonville State University (JSU) was offering scholarship opportunities for Judson students. “I decided to fill out the application and go for a visit. I loved the campus’ atmosphere and a few weeks later after much prayer, I made the exciting decision to become a Gamecock. I would have never considered attending JSU unless God had closed the door to Judson, but His plan is always better.” Lewis is excited about pursuing a degree in accounting! BCF wishes all the best to Liz Lewis in her future endeavors.

BCF will begin accepting applications for 2022 scholarships in early January 2022. Click here for more details!

Welcome Back to Class

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many First Priority and Priority Kids elementary clubs weren’t able to hold traditional meetings on campus this past school year. Some First Priority high school clubs met (in person and virtually), fewer middle school clubs met and no Priority Kids elementary clubs were able to meet. School officials tell us they are counting on First Priority and Priority Kids Clubs to be back in the schools this fall. These clubs are much needed on school campuses as they provide a safe environment and positive peer group for students. The vision of First Priority is to share the hope of Christ with every student before they graduate high school. First Priority unites the local body of Christ with a plan of action to influence the school with the Gospel.

Today, most young people have an increased level of connectivity but less connection than ever before. Research by Springtide in early 2020, just before COVID-19 quarantine, told us that one-fourth of 13 to 17-year-olds said they sometimes or always feel “completely alone.” We witnessed this firsthand this past school year as the clubs that were able to meet had a great turnout. Students are depressed, lonely and looking for a safe place to belong. First Priority gives them a great outlet to connect with others who may be going through similar situations as themselves.

Priority Kids is a strategy for churches and parents to partner together around schools to empower elementary and intermediate students to influence their school with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Priority Kids is taking God’s Word and putting it into action on campus. Our goal with Priority Kids is to reach students at a younger age and our prayer is that their faith will remain with them throughout middle and high school as well as after graduation.

First Priority and Priority Kids elementary clubs were greatly missed this past school year. School officials are counting on us to relaunch clubs this fall and we don’t want to let them down. Will you be a part of this important relaunch? There are multiple ways you can be involved. Visit firstpriorityal.com for more information or email us directly at [email protected]. If you would like your elementary student to participate in Priority Kids this fall or if you would like to volunteer, visit prioritykids.com. We hope you’ll be a part of this unique movement to reach every last student with the hope of Christ! †

Special Feature 

Congratulations to Liz Lewis from SMIC Academy, the recipient of the Fourth Annual Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) scholarship! Lewis receives a $1000 scholarship to the college of her choice. Read her inspiring words about how her faith impacted her during her high school years.

“Throughout my high school career, my Christian faith has given me strength through many obstacles. However, one of the most trying occurred in November of my junior year, when I was diagnosed with an L5 stress fracture. As a softball player, the news was devastating especially since I had just had an Ulnar Nerve Repositioning Surgery in August of my sophomore year. I believed my junior year would finally be my year to play to the best of my ability without any pain or injuries. However, the injury that should have healed in two to three months turned into an eight-month ordeal and I questioned why this too had happened to me. I had already dealt with pain in my right arm for three years after being hit by a pitch. An athlete’s biggest year for recruiting is their junior year, and due to my injury, I would be unable to attend the many college softball camps that I had planned to. I wondered if I was meant to continue my softball career or give up something I loved so much. After much prayer, I sent emails to all the schools I was interested in and received several replies. By February my back was still hurting every day and when my school ball season started, I could be found cheering in the dugout unable to play. The first week in March, I visited a college that had piqued my interest. The coach who had previously attended one of my tournaments offered me a partial softball scholarship, at the end of the visit and I accepted. This occurred one week before everything was shut down due to COVID. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God knew that I would be injured through June of my junior year and that I would miss out on camps and tournaments. He also knew COVID would restrict the recruiting process and yet He provided for me. I could not be more thankful for a God who loves me so much, and I am continually reminded that “All things work together for good,” whether it is turning a major nerve injury into a tremendous blessing to become an ambidextrous pitcher or using a back injury to strengthen my relationship with Christ.”

Here are some additional inspiring words from our 2021 Finalists on how their Christian faith has impacted them. Runner-Ups Alexandra Axtell and Taylor Woodard received a $250 scholarship to the school of their choice. 

Runner-Up Alexandra Axtell, from Thompson High School, says “I lost sight of God and how much he cared for me. I was not sure if I was worthy of His love for a long time. After some time however, I began to notice the little things that God had created and wondered, if God can create and love every single thing on this Earth, that must mean He loves me too! After that, with the help of God, I began to dig myself out of the hole I had buried myself in. When I rediscovered God, my life changed for the better.” 

Runner-Up Taylor Woodard, from Appalachian High School, says, “My faith in God throughout my high school career has been the most important structure and stronghold in my life. Whether I was in the classroom or on the softball field, He was always there keeping my mind right and my trust in Him strong.”

Top Five Finalist Hannah Lloyd, from Hoover High School, shares, “I believe that everyone has a purpose in life and that God uses His children in ways that seem unimaginable in order to share the Gospel and bring glory to Him.”

Top Five Finalist Chandler Key, from Briarwood Christian School, says, “Even though I cannot be perfect, I can strive to be my very best and demonstrate the love of Christ to those at school and those at other schools.” 

Visit www.birminghamchristian.com/scholarship to read each finalist’s full essay! Watch for details for our 2022 Scholarship later this year! Meet our 2021 winners at the Celebrate the Family Expo! May 8 at the Pelham Civic Complex. Each will be recognized and presented their scholarship award. †

We remember Donna Speegle who served as a Scholarship Judge for us every year and joined her Savior in March. This year’s scholarships are being given in her honor. We will miss her very much and will not forget how she lived out her life for Christ and was a role model to so many!