Teacher Seeks Funds For Band

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. The 365 students in grades K-12 represent 26 different countries. Some are from missionary families, 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 the donations in hand by July 1 so he can purchase instruments and have them shipped to Bangkok before he leaves the States.

Wackerman can be reached during his stay in Spokane at 926-4688. After his return to Bangkok, donations can 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.

Bible school in ‘Veggietown’

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church will present a vacation Bible school in July that’s a little different. Instead of running for a few hours each morning for a week, the school will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 8.

The theme of this year’s event is “Veggietown,” based on the popular Veggie Tales videos. The school is open to all children in grades K-6. The day is free.

To register or for more information, call the church office at 487-9667. The church is at 4449 N. Nevada.

Police chaplain to speak

Messiah Lutheran Church, 4202 N. Belt, will have a guest speaker for the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Spokane Police Department chaplain Ron Alter will talk about his work in the community.

St. David’s rummage sale

St. David’s Episcopal Church, 7315 N. Wall, will host a rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Caritas Center, a place run by neighborhood churches that provides a variety of emergency aid to families.

Summer worship schedules

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 1926 W. Chelan, will begin its summer worship service schedule on Sunday. There will be only one service offered at 9:30 a.m. each week.

Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church, 312 W. Hawthorne Road, will switch to its summer worship schedule on Sunday. Each Sunday will feature an 8:30 a.m service in Quall Hall and a 10 a.m. service in the sanctuary.

The Religion Notebook is a regular feature of the North Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a North Side church, or about the achievements of North Side worshipers, please let us know. Deadline is 10 a.m. Monday. Write: Nina Culver, Church Notebook, North Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call: 459-5487. Fax: 459-5098. Or E-mail Ninac@spokesman.com.