Tulsa Church Cancels Sunday Service For Community Service

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- With public schools bracing for massive cuts in state funding, one Tulsa church canceled Sunday services to help a Tulsa high school on Sunday.

It's not a day off. Instead it's a day for community service projects, like painting a high school sub gym.

"I don't know anything more sacred than for us to go outside the walls of the church," said Pastor Kelly Goins, Faith Assembly Church.

Shawna Wright is not only a church member, she's also a teacher at Nathan Hale High School. She has been following the latest developments on public school funding. As a drama teacher, she says her budget is already razor thin and the district is set to lose millions more.

"There's been a lot of budget shortfalls, you know, statewide. So this would have taken forever, just because they've taken so much money away from public schools. So I'm really glad that we're doing it, and that it's my church that has a hand in it," said Shawna Wright, a Nathan Hale High School teacher.

Tulsa Public Schools has lost more than $700,000 in state funding this fiscal year. And September's revenue shortfalls means the district will lose another $2 million.

Shawna says the little things, like a much-needed coat of paint, would be the first things cut. So on a day when her church cancelled service, to do service, she's giving back to her own school.

"It makes me feel really good, as a teacher, and as a Christian," said Shawna Wright.

Shawna says she is proud to put her faith, in action.