UNITY

ELCA strives to nurture a unified community of God-centered individuals who are known and valued for whom God distinctly created them to be. We recognize and respect our cultural differences and unique abilities, rejoice in our similarities, and love ALL individuals as image-bearers of God.

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Students at ELCA have the privilege of growing up in a richly diverse student population. As you walk our halls, you get a sense of what Heaven will be like as you see students who come from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In a focused effort to strengthen our diverse culture, we have established a Unity Council to discuss critical issues within our school. The council consists of parents, staff members, and students who meet on a regular basis to discuss ongoing issues and create strategies for future improvement. Our foundational principle is that all people are created in the image of God. As image-bearers, we all have great value in the eyes of the Creator and thus we should treat those who are different than us with that mindset.

The word GRACE describes our focus on diversity within the school...
G - gender
R - race
A - age and ability
C - culture
E - education

All of these groups are represented within our school and are recognized within God's word. Our goal is to teach our students that God has created us in His image and for His glory. As students begin to grasp that concept, they are able to respond to one another in a truly Biblical way.

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Unity Council Members:​

• Ana Corales (co-President)

• Christopher Craddock (co-President)

• Gracie Rivers (co-Vice President)

• Farah Bonds (co-Vice President) 

• Abigail Hernandez

• Abigail Damaso

• Alexa Blackburn 

• Anthony Labady

• Austin Ha

• Avery Greenich

• Brayden Cason

• Gabrielle Mitchell

• Jethro Jones

• Jiya Patel

• Kayla Baptiste

• London Duval 

• Rylee Collier

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Student Testimonies: 

From my years being involved in the Unity Board, I have learned not only how to embrace unity and diversity within the school, but also the many key aspects that go into how to embrace it. Meeting new people from all backgrounds and being able to speak the gospel freely, as well as just telling others that they matter in Christ has been a wonderful privilege. Culture is a beautiful thing, and everybody should have the chance and accessibility to learn and grow in their heritage. God created all of us equally, so who’s to say we don’t all deserve a chance to highlight our heritage? Even with the quantity of culture in today’s world, God still has a place and love for all of them; Which I love seeing in our school!

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- Gracie Rivers, Class of 2027

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In a world where community is necessary for growth, being a part of the Unity Council has provided the means for me to gain said body. The Council gives me the opportunity to understand others and celebrate the beauty in differences and uniqueness among people. God has created each of us in our own ways, and we get to explore that in Unity. I see this as not only a way to connect people, but also grow awareness of culture and identity. The idea of learning about our differences sparks something within me, and reminds me to embrace the diversity God created us with. Culture plays such a crucial role in shaping who we are and how we go about our faith. However, what amazes me is that though we were made with different cultures or backgrounds, we still were created in His image. That truth is what stands with me everyday. That truth is the foundation of my faith. Through this council, there's a space to honor and learn from what makes us us. With this, we can reflect on God's perfect design and beautiful creation.

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- Farah Bonds, Class of 2027

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