The Richland 2 school board recognized Windsor UMC on Aug. 22 as a “safe haven” for immigrants. From left, Columbia District Superintendent, the Rev. Cathy Jamieson; Pastor Stephen Gaither; school board chairman Craig Plank.
For more than a decade, the community around Windsor United Methodist Church has known the Northeast Columbia church as a congregation committed to opening its doors to strangers – helping those in need from other countries who now live among us.
In June, the Commission on Religion and Race of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church certified that commitment by presenting Windsor UMC with the Barbara Boultinghouse Bridge Builder Award for promoting equity and inclusiveness.
And on Aug. 22, the greater community learned of the important role Windsor is playing among its neighbors when the Richland 2 school board recognized the church for its “Skills for Life and Work” program, a partnership with the school district that helps families who speak languages other than English.
“The church has become a safe haven within our community,” Libby Roof, the school district’s chief communications officer, told school board members at their Aug. 22 meeting. “Many of our students and families new to this country do not always feel safe and secure.
“However, families in our community know that Windsor United Methodist Church is a place where they are welcome.”
Staff and volunteers at Windsor UMC – which is directly across the street from E.L. Wright Middle School – have opened their doors to the school district by offering health fairs, parenting classes, tutoring classes, book clubs and by serving as a safe meeting place for school and community meetings.
Windsor’s service to its non-English-speaking neighbors began about a dozen years ago with an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. It has evolved into “Skills for Life and Work” – the only program of its kind in the school district – which helps parents develop specific skills they need to help their children succeed in school.
“These folks learn not only how to speak English, they learn how to live in America – and eventually become American citizens,” said the Rev. Stephen Gaither, who is in his fifth year as Windsor’s pastor. “At our last graduation, we had people representing 14 different ethnicities – from West Africa, Vietnam, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and other nations.
“We don’t always think about Korean or West African or Japanese immigrants, but they’re all here and they’re all in this community.”
The program provides five levels of ESOL for adults. Parents are introduced to certain aspects of the school district, including testing, school calendars, communication with teachers, parent-school conferences, opportunities for college for their children and nine-week report cards.
Parents also can obtain social work services to help them understand how resources such as health care and school nurses can help their families.
From left, church members the Rev. Frank Buie, Becky Buie, Ivey Hart, Kathy Hart, Charles Shipman and Becky Leonard join Columbia District Superintendent, the Rev. Cathy Jamieson, and Pastor Stephen Gaither in being congratulated by school board chairman Craig Plank.
“Windsor United Methodist Church continues to serve as that safe place for our community, for our families, for our students,” said Abby Cobb, the school district’s lead social worker. “They know that they are safe there. It’s just priceless. They are wonderful partners.”
The Rev. Cathy Jamieson, superintendent of the S.C. Conference’s Columbia District, sees the program as a reflection of the biblical model of welcoming the stranger.
“When we entertain strangers, we might be entertaining angels,” Rev. Jamieson said, citing Hebrews 13:2. “Embracing inclusivity and diversity is so important right now in our culture, when there is so much division.
“I’m so thrilled and proud of Steve and his church and their leadership, and the partnership they have with the school district.”
Nelly Jolley, the school district’s outreach coordinator who oversees the program at Windsor, had a difficult time explaining how the church’s caring for its neighbors has affected so many families.
“There are no words for me to describe our parents’ and children’s happiness when they receive their weekly food bags, book bags, a new pair of shoes, Christmas gifts, assistance for their electric bill, rent, eyeglasses, etc.,” she said.
“On behalf of our hundreds of families, thanks for showing us every day a heart full of compassion, love for humanity and faith in our community.”
Rev. Gaither
Rev. Gaither said the program fits perfectly into the church’s mission of “making new spaces for new people.” He hopes other churches see what has grown at Windsor as a model they can use in their own communities.
“If churches try to do it by themselves, it won’t work,” he said. “You’ve got to cooperate with the school district, which provides many of the things we can’t. The school district has been great. This would not be successful without that partnership.”
He also tipped his cap to the members of his church.
“This program was started by lay people in our church who saw the need in their community,” he said. “They took the ball and, as ministers, we’ve just gotten out of their way.
“You’ve got to provide a safe place; that’s the number one step. You don’t ask people whether they are documented or not, you just help them.”
