Thank you for your interest in the SonLIGHT* Homeschool Support Group.  Below you will find the SonLIGHT* purpose and vision. We ask that all people considering joining SonLIGHT* read and agree to the statements in these.  Then you may email your name and address to LHeller105@aol.com to receive a membership form.

SonLIGHT* is a home school support group made up of families representing many different Christian denominations.  As members, we are committed to sharing the Judeo-Christian ethic, conservative family values, Biblical standards of living, and home schooling experiences which unite us.  All members are expected to respect the doctrinal differences which divide us, in a prayerful attitude of charity for one another.  We do not gather for the purpose of religious instruction of our children, leaving the responsibility where it belongs - with parents and churches.  We come together as members of the Body of Christ to encourage and support one another in our pursuit of home schooling excellence and in raising the next generation for Christ.  All members are to remember this statement as they plan or take part in any SonLIGHT activities.

SonLIGHT* is an association of Christian home schooling families based in Washington County, Maryland, organized for the purpose of:

• Sharing quality educational activities, resources, and information to aid and encourage home schooling parents in working toward a high standard of excellence in the education of their children.
• Meeting and networking with other home schooling families in the area for the support and encouragement of its members, matching families with similar needs and interests to  create small group educational activities.
• Creating opportunities for larger group activities, which would otherwise be unavailable or impractical for the family to pursue.
• Promoting home schooling as a positive educational choice in the community.
• Networking with other state and national home school groups to keep up with current legislative issues related to home education.  SonLIGHT is not an umbrella group and has no plans to be one.  There is also no set structure for one on one mentoring  to take place, but any individuals who would like to be a mentor to a new homeschooler are more than welcome to do so.

The following are some of the membership opportunities that are available to SonLIGHT members; Field Trips, Teaching Cooperative in the Spring, Real Teens Group, Pizza Hut Book-it Program, Scholastic Book and Software Clubs, TheatreWorks USA Theater Programs, Keeper Girls, Boys Being Boys, Choir, Band, and many other activities.  All these are published in the monthly newsletter that members receive.  We also have a monthly Mom's Night Out.

Mom's Night Out will be the 2nd Thursday of every month at 7 PM.  It is usually held at the Williamsport Nursing Home.  Some special ones like the Get-Acquainted Tea in September or the Share-n-Sell in April may be changed.   (Read your newsletter:-)) There will be a topic published each month for the next month's discussion.  The discussion will begin at 7:30 as we will allow that 1st half hour for people to arrive and get settled.  There are snacks provided by the snack committee; feel free to bring your own.  We will close the discussion around 8:30 so people will have time to fellowship before needing to go home.  Please be courteous and allow all moms to contribute to the discussion.  The Mom's Night Out Coordinator has the right to moderate the discussion as she deems necessary.  Mom's Night Out is for moms only with the exception of nursing babies less than 1 year old.

The facilitators meet every two to three months to touch base and report to each other on all the ongoing SonLIGHT activities.  They are responsible for making sure that jobs that have been assigned are being done.  They also assist where needed.  Each facilitator is responsible for a group within SonLIGHT as their resource for questions about SonLIGHT activities.   Facilitators must have homeschooled for at least one year and been a SonLIGHT member for one year prior to being elected.  As the "servants/leaders" of the group, they must conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with SonLIGHT's purpose, vision, mission, and statement of faith.  There will be 5-7 facilitators each year.  Please remember to pray for the facilitators as they seek to best serve the membership of SonLIGHT.  Facilitators must sign the SonLIGHT leadership Statement of Faith (available on request for members to read.)

Current facilitators: Carrie Bishop, Diana Fishell, Lisa Heller, Kim Travis, Donna Litton, Lisa Phillips, and Deb Youngbar.

SonLIGHT members are expected to be responsible for their own level of involvement in the group.  At Level 1, there is no work commitment, but an increase in the membership fee.  At Level 2, there is a requirement of one job to be done for the good of SonLIGHT members.  Jobs can be a one-time thing like planning a field trip, or an ongoing level of involvement as in leading a particular group or activity.  Please check the job list and fill in three choices.  Members who wish to keep their current job will be given first choice.  All level 2 members must complete their job or be automatically bumped to level 1 next year.

There are numerous activities and groups that meet throughout the year; please prayerfully consider your involvement in an activity before committing to it.  Members are also expected to read and utilize the newsletter as the main means of communication among the group.  Each member will be in a smaller group(POD) with a facilitator for building closer friendships, and this small group will be utilized as a phone chain for activities that fall in our lap without any time to publish the details and for cancellations of any SonLIGHT wide activity.

• Member families must currently be homeschooling one or more children, grade K-High School.
• Member families must respect the interdenominational Christian identity of the group.
• Member families must choose one of the two membership levels:
  Level 1 — No work commitment and $35.00 per family per year dues
  Level 2 — Agree to perform one job for the group over the course of the year and $20.00 per family per year dues.
• There is a one-time new member fee of $10 for all brand new members.

SonLIGHT* is the name chosen for a Christian home school support group in Washington County, MD and is not affiliated in any way nor connected with Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.  The "Son" reminds us who we serve, and the LIGHT stands for the task our Master has assigned to us, i.e., Loving Instruction and Guidance through Home Teaching.  The group exists to provide encouragement and practical support to home schooling families in and around Washington County.

SonLIGHT* grew out of a desire of one of its founding members to form an organized network of home schooling families from which members could draw on a variety of resources, group learning opportunities, and emotional support for home schooling excellence.  After waiting and praying for two years, this member was spurred into action by what she saw as a need for a source of help for home schooling moms looking for ways to improve their home school programs, begin home schooling for the first time, or to continue home schooling in the face of burnout or other difficulties.  She approached a handful of friends and acquaintances about the possibility of starting a group, and together they set up SonLIGHT*.

SonLIGHT is formed and guided by four Scriptural principles:

• "Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17) - God has given us our children for a short time, eventually to be returned to Him.  For those of us who are called to home educate our children, it is essential that we remember from Whom we draw our strength.   If we begin our home schooling efforts with prayer, asking God to complete the good work He has begun in our families, He will be faithful to give us what we need to get the job done.  If we walk in obedience to His laws and give our very best in our home schooling efforts, the fruits of our labors will show forth.  SonLIGHT exists to provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical assistance to equip parents in their roles as primary educators of their children.  We strive to encourage parents to seek out the best for their children, offering their work up to God, as they seek to raise the next generation for Christ.
• "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:4-6) - Each of us is gifted in one way or another.  One may cook delicious desserts, one may sew beautiful clothing, one may be a talented writer, another may be trained in mathematics, science, or history.  Whatever our gift, we are truly blessed when we share our gifts with others.  Pooling our time, energy, and resources for the benefit of others is a great way to provide some exciting educational experiences for our children.  SonLIGHT encourages networking among home schooling families to find opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable or impractical for one family to undertake alone.  Many hands make light work, two heads are better than one, and together we can do anything!
• "There is an appointed time for everything and a time for every affair under Heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) - SonLIGHT* is run on a cooperative basis.  We encourage members to give what they can, when they can, placing their family and home schooling responsibilities ahead of support group involvement.  Some mothers will be more active in planning and implementing than others.  We ask that members prayerfully consider the level of involvement their family can realistically handle, and choose wisely the activities and events in which to participate.  Attendance at SonLIGHT functions is voluntary and service to the group is encouraged, but not required.  Families may choose from two levels of membership.  One requires a service commitment, while the other allows for participation in the group without a defined task. This structure affords families the opportunity to be involved in SonLIGHT in whatever capacity best suits their needs and life situations.
• "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23) - It is a sad fact of history that Christians are not now united in the way that Jesus prayed for in Gethsemane.  However, the home schooling movement has been one area in which Christians have come together in a way which has born much fruit.  SonLIGHT* encourages this unity among believers from all Christian denominations.  While we do not come together for the religious education of our children, we do gather in our Savior's Precious Name, uniting in Him Who is Redeemer of all.  We respect the doctrinal differences which divide us, and focus on the things which unite us- our common Judeo-Christian heritage and code of ethics, conservative family values, and home schooling experiences.  All who respect and can function within our interdenominational Christian identity are welcome to join us.

Each member of SonLIGHT* is encouraged to reach out to other members, networking to find solutions to problems or to enhance learning opportunities for their children.  A membership directory is published to facilitate the matching of families with similar needs or interests.  This concept is illustrated by the formation of a sewing class in which three families shared responsibilities (one teaching older girls how to use a sewing machine, another leading a craft class for the younger children, and a third providing dinners for the teachers on the day of the class.)  This cooperation provided an opportunity which might not otherwise have been available.

SonLIGHT* does not dictate curriculum choices, teaching styles, or methods of home schooling.  The individual freedom and responsibility of parents to educate their children in the manner which they decide is best is respected and supported.  While the group can be a good source of ideas and cooperative learning, the final task of doing the best job possible is left with the parents.  If a home schooling parent is searching for ways to improve her teaching skills, explore curriculum possibilities, or encourage a learning lifestyle at home, SonLIGHT is a good resource.

* The SonLIGHT Homeschool Support Group is not affiliated in any way nor connected with Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.