What a year it has been! This has been my 16th year teaching with Swim Ministry, but only my first as part of the leadership team. Over the past 12 months, Sam and Barry Stare have sacrificed long hours to teach me the ins and outs of running the Swim Ministry, with the aim being for me to take over within the next two years. They have patiently and graciously led me through one full year of administration for the Swim Ministry and have shown me all the hard work, prayer, and humility that go into making each summer possible. 

This past summer we as a staff taught 240 swim lessons over the course of 4 weeks, rain or shine, to students ranging in age from barely 5 years old to well over 70 years old. Our staff ranged in age from 10 years old to 82 years old, hailing from all parts of the Greater Cincinnati area and even beyond—all coming together in two wonderful pools in College Hill (Twin Towers “The Connection” and North Hills Swim Club) to teach swim lessons. How awesome is that?!  

During staff training we discuss the concept of "Interdependence," how to be a staff that leans on each other and does not hesitate to lift each other up - just as the body of Christ works together to serve God. It is one of our core values that we practice every day we teach. As you look through this beautiful scrapbook that Sam has so carefully put together, I want you to recognize that this is what interdependence looks like in the flesh. Supervisors, teachers, helpers and students all in the water together, side by side partnering together to overcome fear, build trust, love on students and master challenging skills.        

As we draw near to the holiday season and spend some time reflecting on the year and what we are thankful for, I want every single one of you reading this to know that this year my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving for each of you. Without you this year of Swim Ministry may not have happened. I feel incredibly blessed to have taught alongside you, heard about your lives and been able to share time learning and praying with you. As Sam, Barry and I begin to plan ahead for next summer, we hope that all of you keep us in your mind and in your prayers. As we repeat endlessly at Swim Ministry: it is only through prayerful faith that we do what we do! 

So here is to you all - we are so thankful for all of you! We love hearing from you, and regularly pray for each of you as you go through the rest of your year. Enjoy this incredible scrapbook, and may it bring back sweet memories of this past summer and excitement for next summer. 

Katy Verhagen Wilson

P.S. If you would like a hard copy of this scrapbook, email Sam or me (starecvg@aol.com and katy.verhagen@gmail.com) and we will happily mail one to you.