Identifying and Tending a School’s Tasks
by Marlene Lund
A Lutheran school can serve as an effective arm of its congregation’s outreach to the community. Running a school successfully requires the support and partnership of congregation, pastor, administrator, and staff.

Minnesota Survey Describes Early Childhood Educators
by James Mahler
In the September/October 1995 issue of this column I reported on data from a survey of teachers in ELCA elementary schools. The results included responses from about 80 teachers in Lutheran schools attending a conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and 100 from a conference in Palm Desert, California.

Past, Present, and Future
by James Mahler
This is my 15th and final Facets column written for Lutheran Partners. My retirement and new role as Professor Emeritus at California Lutheran University will occasion a change in authorship for this column directed to rostered lay ministers whose calling is to teach and lead ELCA early-childhood and elementary-school programs. My new role as one of the twin tenders for twin granddaughters whose parents are Minnesota pastors is renewing another whole set of skills.

Stepping stones
by Maureen Stein
A desire to bring more security to their town's children, as well as share the gospel of Jesus to many who have no worship home, led four ecumenical neighbors to a vibrant after-school ministry in a small town in rural Illinois.