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Disclaimer: This information is accurate and complete as of July 30, 2008.
As always, please email for clarification and comments.
Providence Christian Academy is intentional about developing a lifestyle of unselfish
service and impacting the world. Our service department, MERGE, is passionate
about preparing tomorrow’s leaders to re-present Christ to the world. It equips
and encourages students, their families, and teachers to use their spiritual gifts
and talents, through their relationship with Jesus Christ, to serve the world He
came to redeem. Whether we serve during the school or workday, or among the church,
in the community or around the globe, we desire to lift up Jesus so He may draw
all people to Himself.
Students in grades 8 and 9 are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours and Grades
10-12 are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours for the 2008-2009 academic
year. At least five of these hours must be done during the first semester. For students
who anticipate a full academic load and great demands on their after school hours
due to athletics, church, work, etc… all sixteen service hours may be performed
during the summer then submitted before the end of the first semester’s deadline.
One aim of this program is to develop a cognizance for ministry opportunities amid
each student’s daily walk and facilitating a consistent use of their gifts. Most
service earns one hour MERGE credit for one hour of ministry.
We encourage students to begin serving in summer and early in the school year when
time and opportunities are more plentiful. The MERGE webpage outlines weekly,
monthly, and one-time projects to facilitate finding a good fit for service. This
information will also be found under Service Opportunities below and on the MERGE
display in the foyer. Students are encouraged to initiate service ventures and include
peers and families as they work. If students select their own project, they must
meet MERGE guidelines, and complete a MERGE Proposal Form (available
in the right margin of this page). Upon receiving approval from the MERGE
coordinator, work on the project may begin. Proposal forms may be submitted through
the High School Office.
General Suggestions for Service
Our focus is genuine need in our community and a few examples of service that would
apply are:
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Serving in a soup kitchen, food bank/pantry, or shelter;
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Disaster relief aid;
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Mentoring or tutoring at-risk or underprivileged children;
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Using skills and talents at a camp or club;
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Mission trip, VBS, Backyard Bible Club.
Our MERGE team leads service opportunities or had a relationship with these
organizations:
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Delmar Gardens Assisted Living, Lawrenceville
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Lilburn Cooperative Ministry
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Norcross Cooperative Ministry
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Tutoring/Mentoring at Lilburn Elementary and Lilburn Middle
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Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child
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Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Lilburn
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SPECTRUM, Autism Support Group, Lawrenceville
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Willow Branch Apartment Ministry Tutoring/Mentoring
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Movers & Shakers, Perimeter Church, Duluth
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Lughead Discipleship Leader, Grace Fellowship Church
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Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett, Lawrenceville
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Roadrunners of Gwinnett/RuntheReagan
Although we understand there are many viable and valuable forms of Christ-centered
service and we encourage participation in; here are some examples that will not
be counted toward the MERGE requirement:
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Assisting immediate or extended family members or neighbors;
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Assisting teachers with paperwork or classroom work;
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Locks for Love
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Random acts of kindness counted in retrospect;
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General childcare;
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Service performed as a school assignment or during school hours unless pre-approved;
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Ministry done during regularly scheduled worship, Bible study or church service;
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Any work receiving credit- monetarily, academically, or otherwise;
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Fundraising efforts;
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For profit organizations, or those that support a political party or candidate.
If you wish to request approval for a project, please complete and submit a MERGE
Proposal Form prior to serving so a determination can be made and progress made
be tracked. Please communicate with us if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Record of Service
Each student must keep a record of service participation. The date, location, type
of service, and number of hours are logged and verified by the sponsor or supervising
adult (not parent). A completed MERGE Report Form may be submitted to the
High School Office anytime during the semester, but must be in prior to the December
and May deadlines. Whether hours are eligible for MERGE credit or not, students
are encouraged to submit a MERGE report form for all services performed.
Failure to perform the service hours or submit completed forms by the end of semester
deadlines may result in loss of exam exemption(s), failure to be promoted to the
next grade or a hold on senior transcripts until the hours of service are completed
and the form is submitted to the High School Administration.
Deadlines for 2008-2009:
Summer & Fall Semester - Friday, December 5, 2008
Winter & Spring Semester - Friday, May 1, 2009 for Seniors, Friday, May 8 for
all others.
Allowing God to fill us and plunge us into the culture fleshes out Ephesians 2:10,
“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.” As we take Jesus to the people, He transforms His children
and the dark and dying world.
Please do not assume anything! Read through this information then contact
the MERGE coordinator for clarification or with questions or suggestions.
Be proactive and plan your service intentionally. What better way to honor the Father,
than to serve and love like Jesus?
FAQ
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How do I choose a MERGE project?
Use your talents, spiritual gift(s) and interests to begin trying service opportunities.
If you don’t like being outdoors or physical labor, avoid those activities. If you
enjoy being with kids or senior adults then try ministries that cater to that group.
If you try several and still don’t feel you’re shaped for those, then you may want
to consider submitting your project idea on a MERGE Proposal Form and develop your
God designed service.
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Who can/cannot sign my MERGE form?
The adult who supervises your service must verify the hours, by signing your report
form. This person cannot be your parent.
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Where do I get MERGE Proposal Forms and MERGE report forms and where do I turn them
in?
They are available in the high school office and may be downloaded from this website.
Take one with you to every project. Complete them accurately and neatly and turn
them in anytime the office is open. They have a tendency to get lost, so a quick
submission is wise.
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How do I join a currently scheduled project?
Contact the MERGE Team Project Leader for that ministry to sign up and get additional
directions and details. Some projects have prerequisites so advance notice is crucial.
When new or one time opportunities arrive, the announcements will give instructions
on how to get more information and sign up. Please do not sign up or remove anyone
else’s name from a sign up list.
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What if I’m signed up and cannot attend?
Your commitment is a serious obligation, please honor your promises. If an emergency
arises, attempt to find someone to replace you. Notify the project leader immediately.
Communicate with organization or the MERGE coordinator as a final resort. Your responsibility
speaks volumes about your character.
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Can I do something not coordinated by PCA?
YES! Fill out a MERGE Proposal Form and turn it in to the office. As soon as you’ve
received permission, let the service begin!
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How can I get a MERGE Report Form if I forgot to pick one up at school?
These links allow you to print the most recent report forms available right now.
MERGE Proposal Form. MERGE Proposal Form.
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What if I lose my MERGE Report Form?
DON’T! Submit your completed form as soon as you can. If you lose your form, YOU
must get a replacement form signed by the original supervisor, answer the questions
and submit it prior to the end of semester deadline.
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What if I do not do my service or don’t turn the form in before the deadline?
This is a character issue. As part of the registration process, your signature acknowledged
your understanding of the community service responsibility and you are able to comply.
If you do not satisfy the service requirements or fail to turn in a complete report
form by the deadline for Summer & Fall semester, then you forfeit your exam exemption.
If this occurs during the Winter & Spring semester, you forfeit your exam exemption
and you do not promote to the next grade or have your report card or transcript
released until the service requirement is met and the MERGE Report From is submitted
to the High School Administration.
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Who keeps up with my service hours?
Each student is responsible for serving and reporting his/her hours. Parents, teachers,
coaches and administrators desire to help to succeed; ultimately, each student must
ensure the MERGE requirements are met. An email request is the optimal method to
obtain a current hour count. Prior to the deadline each semester, hours will be
posted on the MERGE board. Please verify that your hours submitted agree with the
database. Please contact the MERGE coordinator if they do not.
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Do NHS and Beta Club Hours count for MERGE credit and vice versa?
No. Beta Club and National Honor Society have their own service projects for their
members. This is different than in previous years so please be aware of this change
and plan accordingly.
MERGE Coordinator:
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4575 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn, GA 30047 Telephone
770-279-7200 Fax 770-279-8258
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