Luke's Leaders
Luke’s Leaders is a weekly, after-school leadership
development initiative developed by the Outreach and Justice Ministry of St.
Luke’s UMC. The program is off to a great start this fall! We are currently
serving 93 students from all three Washington Township middle schools. The fall
program started on September 16, 2025, and will continue until Thanksgiving,
with the spring program beginning on January 13, 2026.
Our sixth-grade programs are held at the respective middle
schools after school from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastwood middle has 16
students, Northview has 13 students, and Westlane has 30 students
participating. This group is led by the Peace Learning Center. Each session is
designed to teach safe and simple ways to manage anger, solve problems, and
develop an appreciation for differing perspectives.
The 7th and 8th grade students from each middle school are
transported from their middle school by vans to St. Luke’s UMC. Their sessions
are led by the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and are held from 5p.m.-6:30 p.m.,
at St. Luke’s UMC with dinner at the church included.
Seventh grade students are in Leaders Club that is a program
where young people can be themselves and strengthen their leadership potential
as they thrive in a fun environment of support, social activity and community
involvement. Young people will work together to organize and provide volunteer
service in their community while gaining valuable knowledge, training and
skills that will serve them well for life.
Eighth grade students are in the Youth in Government
program. These students engage in experiential learning of government
processes, generally through mock legislative, executive and judicial
proceedings. Through Youth in Government, students develop an understanding of
local, state, national, and international concerns; research, study and debate
on public issues; explore careers in public service; interact with adult and
youth leaders involved in decision-making processes; gain an understanding of
political systems and the forum they provide for the effective and peaceful
resolution of issues and concerns; gain an appreciation for the diversity of
viewpoints on public issues and a concurrent respect for ideas, beliefs and the
positions of others; and demonstrate citizenship responsibilities and
leadership roles essential to the health of participatory democracy.
Our administrative board is planning for our second annual
Leadership Summit to be held January 17, 2026. This is a 1-day event at the
church bringing all the different groups from Luke’s Leaders together for
speakers and community projects, and a chance to get to know each other.
For more information about Luke’s Leaders, visit our webpage
at www.lukesleaders.com. Or contact Tom Lange at 317-697-1177 or
tom.c.lange@gmail.com.
submitted by Carol Loggins