05/06/2020
Parents,
We began this journey a month ago, battling the COVID-19 outbreak through uncharted territory. During time we would have been winding up Winter, 2020 and taking registrations for the Summer, 2020 camps; would have celebrated our graduating 8th graders from the Winter, 2020 season; would have been hanging their plaques in the hallway by the gym; and much, much more. But…. COVID-19 had other plans. Now, for the time being, athletic events around the world are being put on hold and we are being asked to stay at home and limit any unnecessary contact with others. In other words, work from home, (while working from home) find time to serve as your child’s teacher’s aide, cancel your dinner party, wear a claustrophobic mask, and cancel those cherished Thursday date nights that provided much needed “Mommy Daddy time”. But during these unprecedented times, we have been given a unique gift. While we are physically more isolated from others, this time of crisis is making us stronger together. It is bringing us closer and making us kinder to each other.
Amid the severity of the situation and the bad news we are getting every minute, God has brought to light (for me) a wonderful and beautiful thing occurring as a result of the current crisis. As I sit on my couch, laptop warming my legs, I can look up and witness one daughter lovingly helping the other with her math work. I can look up and see my husband and my son laughing together as they wrestle on the floor after lunch (a time when they would have otherwise been in separate locations). And…. I am overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord and the thankfulness I feel for these moments! God is a good God! At the same time, I am reminded to pray for the Lord’s mercy towards all the people affected by this illness, and for wisdom and discernment as this situation progresses. I am reminded not to give in to fear and despair, as many are tempted to do, at this time. The wind and waves obey Jesus, which means nothing is outside of His ultimate control!
Having said all that (and with the abrupt end to the Winter, 2020 season), it is likely that there are some unanswered questions related to Upward. The following is our attempt to address and answer most of the questions that parents are likely to have:
How do I get my pictures from the Winter, 2020 season?
PICK-UP SCHEDULE -- first letter of last name:
A thru F: Mon/Tues, May 4/5, 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
G thru N: Wed/Thurs, May 6/7, 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
O thru Z: Fri/Mon, May 8/11, 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
Pick-up only during your scheduled days and time.
Please wear a face covering during pick up (and gloves, if you prefer).
Adults only in the building for pick up.
Pull your car up to the front doors; the table with the pictures and season-end gift (a nice string bag/backpack), will be located just past the second set of doors in the hall.
Pictures are labeled with last name and spread out alphabetically on the table. Please handle only your child's picture.
Season end gifts are in a bin on the table.
ONE gift per registered player. There are no extra gifts, so if you take more than one, a player/cheer squad member will go without.
Will there be an 8th grade graduation celebration?
Our ultimate goal is to have an 8th grade graduation celebration. What that will look like has yet to be determined. Ideas currently being discussed is a beginning of the Fall, 2020 season kickoff of the Winter, 2020 graduates vs. the Fall, 2020 graduates. Nonetheless, we will be emailing a digital copy of our Winter, 2020 Portrait of a Graduate by May 15. The Portrait of a Graduate is a booklet we put together which celebrates our Winter, 2020 graduates. Additionally, we will be mailing a hard copy to the graduates.
How can I contact my coach to thank him for volunteering to coach the Winter, 2020 season?
Feel free to contact me for your coach's email.
Will the 2020 Summer Camps be running?
Please know that we appreciated having your sons and daughters in the gym playing basketball and cheering, and we really MISS YOU ALL! We miss the smiles, the unbridled enthusiasm, the sounds of kids having a good time, and the familiar faces of all family members. We hope to have more information to share with you, regarding the 2020 Summer Camps soon.
Will there be a Fall, 2020 season?
At this time a lot remains unknown and undecided. Be aware that we are prayerfully planning how and when ALL of the Immanuel ministries will be moving forward. Please know that we are discussing and praying as we take direction from municipal and health authorities regarding the safe and responsible means of moving forward. The Upward Leadership Team will be contacting you with more information as it becomes available.
In conclusion, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this past season. Having barely finished three months as the Director of Upward (most of which was shut down from COVID), I've really come to cherish all of you and this ministry. These last few months have been (for me) a confirmation of how important parents (like you) are in the development of young athletes, and how much you continually sacrifice. Thank you for:
-The long hours you spent sitting in bleachers or standing watching.
-The miles spent driving to games and practices, etc.
-The sleep you lost for the early morning games.
-The hours you spent volunteering…. concessions, snack parent, carpooling, or coaching.
-The support you showed to the entire Upward family.
The consolation you provided after a tough loss and for modeling that there is more to life than sports, and stats, and wins/losses.
-The time spent doing the not-so-glamorous sports laundry.
-The smiles, hugs, and interactions during Upward that have (hopefully for you, as they have me) resulted in lifelong friendships.
-Finally, and most importantly, thank you for realizing the importance of Christ centered sports and the life-lessons they teach.
I pray the Lord will bless you during this continued season of change.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." – Isaiah 41:10
May the Lord continue to bless and protect you! I look forward to seeing you at an Upward event (hopefully in the fall)! I miss all of you. God's Blessings!
T. Rancak
Director of Upward Ministries
