Or his. But this she is a she. This is for Life on the Planet who laments the lack of Episcopalians homeschooling.
If you know of any, send them her way. So far, she has a Baptist who would like to help, an Episcopalian public school teacher who has offered to homeschool her prospective grandchildren and the promise of a link to an actual factual Episcopalian homeschooler’s blog.
It might not quite be a wave, but I sense the beginnings of a ripple.
It is also a thought that struck me as I read differing views on statements of faith in homeschooling groups. I do not see an issue with like-minded people preserving their like-mindedness should they so choose. But then, I also thought it silly that anyone would think that the Boy Scouts should accept girls.
Private organizations develop for their own purposes and should be allowed to do so. And I can’t help but wonder how many homeschoolers who belong to such a group really isolate their memberships within society’s various groups and subgroups to that one homeschooling group. Maybe that thought is based too much on my own experience. I belonged to such a group, although the statement of faith was pretty basic, and had nothing to do with homeschooling. I also belonged to a more inclusive group with a sort of “don’t ask, don’t tell” philosophy since its main function was to organize field trips. Not to mention the variety of groups we have drifted in and out of, all based on common interests but not all Christian.
Most of them have not even been about homeschooling.
Point being that just because someone seeks out a group of homeschoolers with a similar philosophy, be that centered on educational approach, curriculum, religion or lack thereof, it does not mean by default that they have isolated themselves from all differing viewpoints.
It just means that this, too, is an important part of their lives and they have found a group to share it with. And I think it would be nice if Life on the Planet could “feel the love.”
_______
The Carnival of Christianity is up.
The Carnival of Education is up.
And nobody asked because nobody knew, but I’m feeling much better and shall likely resume normal blogging tomorrow. Friday. When the rest of the world gets offline and gets a life. Maybe I’ll make my daughter do the schoolwork I didn’t feel up to, too…Naa. She passed 13 sections in her AWANAs book last night!
[tags]homeschooling[/tags]
Principled Discovery is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation! 
I popped over! I’m Anglican (same thing) so I’d love to hook up with Life on the Planet. I sort of wonder if there shouldn’t just be a ‘Christian Oddballs’ group though. If you’re not Catholic, Baptist, Mormon or LDS then there’s really no place for you and, I’ve found, even the Christian and biblical materials for those groups may be innapropriate.
That’s for the future though!
Well, bless her heart. It’s hard to be the only one in a group who sees things the way you do.
I have also noticed the isolationism factor, both for cops who, when off duty, wanted to associate only with other cops. They closed off the rest of the world as they could note see themselves a part of it. The same is true with some of my friends at church not wishing to associate with anyone other than Mormons, their children play only with other Mormon kids and they only go to church sponsored social events.
I found the “mix” made for a well rounded social life; cops, locksmiths Mormons, Baptists and most other good Christian folks who are citizens here in the United States of America looking to be productive within the framework our Forefathers established. I have associations which improve my life experience from all walks of life and to limit my exposure to a narrow scope would be like cheating myself from seeing a rainbow because I might get wet from the storm which produced it.
This is not to say I expanded my acceptable level of moral conduct because those I find to be friends share most of the basic rules of moral conduct. I would have no problem with the public schools were the minimum standards I hold valuable upheld; unfortunately for us all, there are few moral standards to be seen in public schools. I don’t think there is anything that would turn the runaway train we call public schools around that would save it from its inevitable destruction; however, other forms of educating our youth exist through private enterprise and home schooling which cover the requirements of producing intelligent entry level citizens with a grasp of moral conduct with whom we would be proud to say, “Howdy neighbor.”
Sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well. I hope everyone else is better, too.
There is always a tension better the individual and the group, isn’t there? We were made for relationship, so we long for them, but we don’t want any particular group to dominate either.
I am realizing more and more what a blessing close friends are. Life on the Planet, I hope you find some sweet fellowship!
Life On The Planet here!
First off, I have to say, this is the first time I had to leave the computer and take shelter for a tornado warning. At least with hurricanes you know they’re coming!
When we lived in Louisiana, we belonged to a very mixed homeschooling group which included Roman Catholics, Church of Christ(ers), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, Methodists,…It was a fun group, and I would love to find a group like that in our new home. We socialized, took field trips, had book clubs and ate. Our differences were not an issue. We were united in our homeschooling pursuits.
Really, my hope is not just to find other Episcopal homeschoolers, although that would be nice, but to get Episcopalians to see homeschooling as an option. They will whine and complain about the state of the public schools, but mention homeschooling to them and they turn seven shades of purple.
In the meantime, I’m stealing your want-ad button, Dana, for my site. The members are flooding in (we’re up to FIVE now), but we always have room for more!
Oh, and thanks for the WW1 site. I can’t wait to head over there and have a look.
Thank you everyone! And T.F., I’ve seen the same thing. It is a blessing to “belong” to different groups. Relationships are important and a variety of relationships contributes to ourselves and society, I think.
Dawn, you forgot about the non-denominationals! It is almost all I’ve ever known (although I was saved in a Mennonite Church). I don’t feel left out because our church has a lot of homeschoolers, but in the groups I talk to online, some have some unkind things to say about the non-denominational movement. We’re too ecumenical or something.
And Life on the Planet, the button is all yours! And anyone else’s who wants it!
Maybe once you have founded the “International Association of Episcopalian Homeschoolers” it will be a first step toward helping Episcopalians see the benefits of homeschooling.
Because if there is an association, it must be a valid educational option, right?
I think we all naturally want to be around those who are like minded. What is interesting is how we discover that those who share a belief or interest with us (religion, homeschooling, politics, knitting, writing, etc.) do not necessarily share our views on life, the universe, and everything!
I like having a good mix of friends and acquaintances. How else will I learn anything? The common threads I look for are respect and a good sense of humor.
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina
I was thinking about the folks that I ‘hang out with’, and how different each relationship is, because each relationship is based on different commonalities.
Some of my friends that are like-minded in faith are not like-minded about home education. Some of my HSing friends are not like-minded on methodologies- they would never say it, but I can tell they think my hybrid Moore Formula/unschooling methods are a bit…. out there. Some of my other HSing friends are like-minded on educational methods, but not in faith. While yet other friends are bookworms or neat freaks or crafty geeks like me, but don’t have kids or don’t home educate.
I ditto Dana’s post, though, about HSers who form co-ops or support groups or whatever because they want to be with like-minded folks- whether it is based on religious beliefs or educational methods. The Tinfoil Helmet Brigade cracks me up- it seems every time a group of folks get together to exercise freedom of association, it’s really a Grand Scheme to Conquer the Universe As We Know It.
And now the Episcopalian Homeschoolers (all three of them :p) are going to take over the world! I knew it, I just knew it! Somebody call Tim Lahaye! (ya’ll know I’m pullin’ yer leg, right?)
Oh, no, Sunniemom! We’re up to five. (I smell a revolution brewing.)
Dana - Thanks so much! I’ve really enjoyed my day in the sun. I feel like one of the cool kids!
HEY THERE!!! I’m here - plugging away! Come on over I’ve got a few Anglican blogger mommies. In fact in hopes of creating a bit of a network, a couple of us hosted an Anglican Advent Carnival. And are planning a Lent one, too! We’d love some more contributors!
If you are Anglican (or Episcopalian - that is the US Church of the Anglican Communion), come on by my blog and drop me a line. I’ll keep you in the loop as we plan the Lent carnival. An email will be going out to all interested bloggers over the weekend, I believe.
Kerry
http://www.theten0clockscholar.blogspot.com
What a fun post and follow-up comments!! I agree 100% with you and your commenters. Maybe next year’s HSB Group Blog award winner will be the not-yet-in-existance Episcopalian Homeschooler’s Unite Blog!! I won’t be able to join, cause I’m not Episcopalian, ;-), but I’ll vote for you…and remember, you got the idea from me!
I’ve been a part of many homeschool groups over the years. Some have been nonsectarian, while others have been very exclusive in their “membership”. I tend toward something in between. Common ground increases the comfort level, but diversity increases the interest level!
Hey, don’t knock the tin-foil hats. I listened to this program on Coast to Coast and I totally think the pyramid hats are going to stop terrorism. : )
There you go, Linda! You just never know where an idea will take you!
And you are more than welcome, Life on the Planet. I’m glad you enjoyed it. : )
Kerry - yahoo! I visited your site and it looks great. I’ll send you an email asap as blogger will not let me comment. It all sounds good.
Linda - Of course you can join. You just have to learn the secret handshake:)