Student of Life

     Harrison Allen looks at life with two views – the creative and the practical. Harrison is an inventive eighth grader. “I enjoy reading books and writing fiction stories about the deep south, and cowboys of the far west.  What drew me there is that I like the music from those areas,” he said. He also enjoys art, especially drawing cartoons and sketching blueprints for building robots.  On the practical side, his interest in politics will hopefully lead to important leadership roles in the future.  He stays informed by watching the news and reading articles on-line.  He said, “In the future I would like to be a local board member and from there run for mayor. Later, I would like to be a representative, and then maybe President.” 

              Harrison had been at Grace many times with the director of the food pantry (his grandfather, Doug McFarlan) to help in the pantry, and he became friends with many people. Then Harrison started attending Confirmation classes at Grace to see what they were like.  He took it one step further, becoming a member of Grace!  Harrison’s family has been very supportive of his coming to Grace, and he knows it: “I am very thankful that there are lots of people who take the time to do stuff for me to meet my basic needs.”  He continued, “I decided to come to Grace because I was looking at the leadership and ministry. Also, everyone here is so nice.”

     Having found what he was seeking at Grace, Harrison is getting involved in other activities.  He still works in the food pantry sometimes when school isn’t in session. He participates in midweek meals and worship, Grace’s prayer chain, and leading in worship.  Harrison was invited to share in the bell choir but his limited ability to read music was a practical consideration. His creative and practical solution: “I just color code my hands and the notes in my music for my two bells.” Harrison enjoys expressing himself as much with writing and artwork as with Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses. Time will tell what his next involvement will be at Grace.

              Your support of Grace Lutheran Church makes possible the opportunities to grow relationships and faith through our food pantry, music, and Confirmation.