Band Teacher Seeking Instruments Bangkok Educator Wants To Build Rental Inventory At School
Carl Wackerman is on a mission.
In the next two weeks he wants to raise $20,000 to buy instruments for his band students in Bangkok. It’s a goal he is hopeful of reaching.
“People are generally very generous and willing,” says Wackerman, who points to the ongoing support the members of First Presbyterian Church have provided as proof.
Wackerman teaches at the International Community School in Bangkok, one of 10 schools around the world run by the Networks of International Christian Schools (NICS).
The 365 students in grades K-12 represent 26 different countries. Some are from missionary families, and about 35 percent are Thai nationals.
Musical instruments in Bangkok generally cost $400 or more, and the students sometimes have a hard time coming up with the money.
The problem, says Wackerman, is that all instruments are imported from the United States and must be purchased new.
There are no stores selling used instruments or renting instruments in Thailand.
“They just don’t want things that others have used,” says Wackerman. “It’s a cultural thing.”
Wackerman’s goal is to collect money to buy instruments here so the school can rent them to children for a small fee.
He also welcomes donations of instruments that are in good condition.
Wackerman will return to Bangkok on July 8 but hopes to have all donations in hand by July 1 so he can purchase the instruments and have them shipped to Bangkok before he leaves the States.
Wackerman can be reached at 926-4688 during his stay in Spokane. After his return to Bangkok, donations may be sent to NICS at P.O. Box 18151, Memphis, TN 38181. Donations must be marked “Bangkok Music Project.”
For more information on the program, contact Don Lacroix at (800) 887-6427.
Labyrinth planned at Cliff Park
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will present an ecumenical labyrinth in Cliff Park on Sunday. The event will run from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at the corner of Grove Street and 13th Avenue.
The labyrinth is a unique form of meditation where people make their way around a maze, in this case a spiral design formed of three double spirals grouped around a triangle. All are invited to attend the special event.
For more information, call the cathedral office at 838-4277.
Author will speak at Plymouth
Special guest Wayne Barber will speak at the 10 a.m. worship service Sunday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1502 W. Eighth.
Barber is a nationally known Precept Ministries teacher and author.
Worship schedule changing
Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ will switch to its summer worship schedule on Sunday.
There will be one service offered at 10 a.m. each week. All Bible study and Christian education classes have ended for the summer.
The church is at 411 S. Washington.
The Religion Notebook is a regular feature of the South Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a South Side church or about the achievements of South Side worshipers, please let us know. Deadline is 10 a.m Monday. Write: Nina Culver, Religion Notebook, South Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5487. Fax 459-5098. Or E-mail Ninac@spokesman.com.