BLESSED BE EDUCATORS Under the Fiscal Sponsorship of W.H.I.P. Ministries Pastor Denise A. Samuel, Executive Director Dr. Mary Ann Hvizdos, Program Director

Our History National Faith-Based Organization Sponsored Pittsburgh program from March 2013 to Sept. 2015 “Celebration of Teachers” in churches early May for National Teacher Appreciation Week Encourage participation in “Blue Sunday National Day of Prayer” Membership: 33 churches across 8 denominations Funding cuts Pittsburgh program suspended Sept. 1, 2015

New Beginnings Advisory Group Pastor Denise Samuel Pastor James Samuel Pastor W. Joseph Stump Ms. Judy Stump Ms. Carol Emerson Dr. Roseland Bainum Dr. Mary Ann Hvizdos

Please tell a pastor colleague or church leader about BBE New Beginnings Blessed Be Educators Membership open to any church in southwest PA 10-county region Fall 2016 membership focus, Pittsburgh & east Winter 2017 membership focus, Pittsburgh, east & north Please tell a pastor colleague or church leader about BBE

New Beginnings Mission & Purpose Uplift teaching as Christian ministry at all levels, current & retired Public & public charter Faith-based Private Sunday school, Christian educators, etc. Preschool, childcare & afterschool University Provide spiritual nurturance, recognition & support through sponsored programs some of which to be part of congregation worship “Teaching is hard. Educators are grateful someone would give them a hot breakfast and care about what they do.” Jane H., retired AIU teacher who attended prayer breakfast

Blessed Be Educator Programs Pastors/Leaders Choose for their Congregations Prayer Walk for Schools Educator Prayer Breakfast Blue Sunday National Day of Prayer for Abused & Neglected Children Educator Recognition Virtual Storage Room Volunteers in Schools Educator Forums Aug-Sept November (To celebrate U.N. World Teachers Day) April Last Sunday of (April Child Abuse Prevention Month) Mid-April thru Mid-June (May is NEA National Teacher Appreciation Month) On-going Proposed for 2017-2018 based on educator input Congregational Worship

Our Program – Major Fall Event Educator Prayer Breakfast (United Nations World Teachers Day) Free to any current or retired educator who registers Program: hot breakfast, hymn fest, door prizes, speaker & prayer Child-friendly event Person providing ride welcome to join us First Annual Prayer Breakfast, Nov. 5, 2016

First Annual Prayer Breakfast, Nov. 5, 2016

First Annual Prayer Breakfast, Nov. 5, 2016

Educator Recognition

Educator Recognition

Virtual Storage Room Saint Charles Lwanga Christmas Distribution Saint Paul Cathedral Food Pantry Christmas Distribution Saint Charles Lwanga Christmas Distribution

Volunteers in Schools End of Year Picnic, June 2016 Teacher Luncheon, Aug. 2016

Next Steps Contact Mary Ann Hvizdos, Program Director through this Website or Call 412-807-1611 Would you like for me to speak with Parish Council, Session, etc.? What about BBE request for free-will offering? Number of educators to benefit Size of congregation & financial means Offering not required to participate How time-consuming will BBE be for me? - 1 email monthly; respond received & reviewed - Inform Mary Ann which program activities your church will be involved with - Designate church member as contact person Would you like to join? Complete & return membership form