By now you’ve heard the news. Churches are being evicted from New York City schools.

True or False?

Both.

What if churches that used school space for weekend services now adopt those schools for weekday service?
First the bad news. After fighting for a decade to expel churches from holding services in schools, Mayor Bloomberg seemed to prevail last week when the Supreme Court allowed New York to evict 160 congregations. In response, the City announced February 12, 2012, as the final day for faith-based groups to rent schools for weekend worship services.

Now the good news. Notwithstanding the Mayor’s crusade, people of faith occupy schools every day. They attend as students, work as teachers, serve as custodians, assist as support staff, vote as parents, volunteer as coaches, tutors, and mentors, and lead as principals and superintendents.

The mayor cannot evict them.

The mayor cannot evict us.

Instead of weekend services, serve Monday – Friday. What would happen if the 160 evicted congregations chose to adopt their prior weekend homes for meaningful weekday service throughout the New Year?

During the holidays and into 2012, New York City’s faith communities have a unique opportunity to turn a tone-deaf policy into a profound season of service. Register today to adopt a school for service.