“Faith is a living,
daring confidence in God's grace,
so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”
Martin Luther
It was this certainty in God’s Grace that led Trinity Lutheran School in Cedar Rapids to create its new program, Discover Trinity. Trinity had a long standing reputation of providing an excellent education. The church and school were known in the community for their outreach. But after the flood of 2008 that ravaged the city and its neighborhoods, a change began to take place. This urge to become even more instrumental in the community became even more pressing with the economic downturn. An idea that would bring more students to Trinity was tossed around but it would take a leap of faith. And what a leap it has turned out to be.
The basis of Discovery Trinity was simple: give families new to the school a waiver on their first year’s tuition. The waiver would allow them the opportunity to discover why Trinity was the school for their child(ren) to attend throughout their elementary and middle school years without the cost of tuition.
New families were to be financially responsible for application, registration and lunch fees as well as any additional fees (i.e. field trips, Life Skills).The program would give first priority to Trinity Lutheran Church members but is open to LCMS sister members and non Lutheran families. Eighth grade students were to be exempt, unless they were part of a family entering the school with students in other grades.
Forty one students walked through the doors of Trinity Lutheran School in August 2010. Of those students, four families did not have a church home. Four students have now been baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church. Three families have joined Trinity Lutheran Church.
Twenty seven students are returning to Trinity Lutheran next year. Three additional students will be attending Trinity due to the experience their sibling, a Discover Trinity participant, received. The program was planned as a two year investment but, due to its overwhelming success, we are considering continuing the program after the two year period is done. It is the continued hope of Trinity Lutheran School to educate the whole child, in mind, body and spirit.
I Peter 1:6 says “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead!" It is our faith that will continue to strengthen the Discover Trinity program and it is this joy that continues to bless Trinity Lutheran School as we continue to share the good news of Jesus.
Jodi Jonasson
Development Director
Trinity Lutheran School
1361 7th Ave. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-362-6952
www.trinitycr.org
jjjonasson@msn.com
