Service, Reflection, and Joy
Mia Adams, Grade 10 at Germantown Friends School, shares reflections from her school’s Martin Luther King Day of Service
For 26 years, GFS has celebrated and honored the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an annual Day of Service. Held virtually for the second year in a row, this important day gave students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to collaborate with organizations and community members in Germantown, and throughout the city of Philadelphia. GFS Director of Community Engagement Dr. Zarah Adams’ goal was to provide a space to increase community projects in art, sustainability, and education, by co-leading initiatives with universities and neighborhood associations. We saw that goal come to fruition earlier this month.
This year’s Day of Service theme, “Combatting Racism and Building Community,” presented several opportunities for students and families. Individuals created snack bags and toiletry kits for the Face to Face mission in Germantown. GFS even surpassed its goal of 200 bags with the help of local organization AmeriHealth Caritas and several boy scout troops. Students Ethan Young ’23 and Oscar Schwartz ’23, leaders of the Upper School Community Engagement Club, facilitated a virtual session for the kit assembly. Families also donated gently-used children’s clothing to Cradles to Crayons; and new hats, gloves, and socks to Covenant House in Germantown.
Reflection was the primary goal of the day, which began with keynote speaker Charles D. Ellison of WURD radio. The award-winning journalist, host, and executive producer of “Reality Check,” spoke about the strategies used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to create change. Ellison noted, “[MLK Day of Service] is a day to reflect on the fight before us…to reclaim the power that King, and many others like him, fought and died for.” He encouraged students to follow Dr. King’s legacy by getting involved in local politics and standing against social injustices observed in their neighborhoods.
GFS health teacher Maryanne Rawlings facilitated a discussion on “Mindfulness and Just Relationships,” which revolved around the “universality of emotions”; Upper School Students Beier Nelson ’22 and Neil Bennet ’22 discussed how communities responded to the pandemic; and Dr. Molefi K. Asante, author and professor of African Studies at Temple University, facilitated a session on “Serving Humanity.”
We also found joy! Herb Scott, chef and owner of Herb Scott Catering in Germantown, led a virtual cooking class, which could compete with any show broadcast on the Cooking Channel. Herb cooked grilled vegetables, buttermilk fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese, and shared cooking tips learned from his father.
Lower School art teacher and Germantown Monthly Meeting member, Lili Sharpless, led an art lesson for young students, who traced their hands and created colorful words in reflection of Dr. King.
Christopher Li ’22 and Zoe Schaedle ’22 discussed music and artists from the civil rights movement. Participants learned about the stories behind songs written and performed by artists like Nina Simone.
GFS Director of Library Services Kate Garrity, and several volunteers, read stories about Dr. King and the civil rights movement, namely The Year we Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson. For those unable to attend her session, Kate created an electronic library for the community to access throughout the day.
Unfortunately, forecasted winter weather postponed the environmental stewardship event with Philly Goat Project at Awbury Arboretum, but once a new date is determined, students and families hope to spread wood chips on trails, remove vines from trees, move donated Christmas trees, and clean the barn; and of course, volunteers look forward to visiting with the goats.
In the manner of Friends, the day ended with a worship sharing, which allowed the community to come together and reflect on lessons learned, and projects that support the joy needed to sustain the ongoing goals and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learn more about the GFS Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service here.
