Homeschool Conference - CANCELED
to
KCI Expo Center 11730 N Ambassador Dr, Kansas City, Missouri 64153
Dear MPE members, fellow homeschoolers, and partners:
Over the last several days we have received information from our vendor partner, KCI Expo Center, and the city of Kansas City, Missouri, regarding the regulations we must now work under for our 2020 MPE Conference scheduled for June 26-27.
Frankly, the requirements restrict the number of people that can participate in the conference, the vendor fair, children's program, and learning seminars to such a ridiculously low number that to comply would make it a very bad investment for our valued vendors. It would also be a disservice to our members and those desiring to attend to gain information about homeschooling.
As much as we regret it and after much effort to move the date and re-plan this member benefit, we were unsuccessful. The MPE board of directors sees no option other than to cancel this year's conference.
As much as it is against our human nature, we are reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 to “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Take comfort in that our God is sovereign and in total control.
Lord willing, we will have a tremendous Conference April 9-10, 2021. Between now and then Midwest Parent Educators’ mission is to provide the best resources, events, and support for those who choose the worthy task of homeschooling their children.
We understand the groundswell of parents who have been introduced to homeschooling by the events surrounding COVID-19 and pray we can be of assistance to those desiring to continue teaching their children from home.
Members of MPE have a great opportunity to share their faith as they reach out to neighbors and friends to help those who are contemplating homeschooling next year. Homeschool veterans, please pray the Lord may use you in a unique way to share your faith with others through homeschool support.
Interest in homeschooling is at an all-time high. We want to know what you as someone contemplating homeschooling next year would like to know, experience, or see as you make your decision. Please contact us at 913.599.0311 or email us at info@midwesthomeschoolers.org.
We are working with local churches to identify MPE Homeschool Ambassadors to help provide and direct homeschooling parents to the resources available. In addition, if you are interested in helping others in your area jump-start their homeschool, especially this year, please call Christy at 913.599.0311 or email info@midwesthomeschoolers.org and we will match you up with others in your area that need help.
For those looking for assistance in homeschooling, mark your calendar for Saturday, June 27, at 9 a.m. for a free, live webinar on “How to homeschool in Kansas and Missouri.” The link to register is https://webinar.getresponse.com/BcUH7/how-to-homeschool-in-ks-or-mo (Limited to the first 100 registrants.) Based upon the response, we will consider other live webinars July-September.
We will continue to add Facebook Live Sessions (which are also archived and available on demand) on various topics that may be very helpful and provide ideas for your homeschool.
The Used Curriculum Sale has been rescheduled to a new date and venue. On July 11, 2020, setup is from 8-9 a.m. and the sale will run from 9-11 a.m. Sellers will clean-up from 11-12 p.m. The sale will be at JR&CO located at 1201 West 31st Street, Kansas City, MO 64108. Please check https://www.midwesthomeschoolers.org for more details under Events tab.
We are also exploring options for this year's graduation ceremony after learning it cannot be held at College Church of the Nazarene on June 23. Once we determine a viable alternative, we will communicate the change through our MPE newsletter and Facebook page. Families with graduating seniors will be notified directly as well.
Additionally, we will make our conference silent auction online and available for everyone, from July 31 to August 2. We will also feature our wonderful conference vendors and partners in further advertising opportunities, since many of you have asked how to support them during this time. Funds from the silent auction goes directly back to MPE to support members in our community. You are also supporting many local businesses when you bid on these items. Please stay tuned for more information, which will come shortly.
We also ask you to prayerfully consider supporting MPE financially, as our resources have been increasingly exhausted the past couple of years, and especially this year, as the conference is THE major revenue-generating event for us.
We believe the fields are ripe for the harvest, and that we have an unprecedented opportunity to be “Salt and Light” to those reaching out for our help, but it requires unselfish sacrifice and finances.
If the Lord has blessed you, please consider a donation to MPE. You may donate online at https://www.midwesthomeschoolers.org/donate; mail a check to P.O. Box 14391, Lenexa, KS 66285; donate through our PayPal account (using our "info" email address, listed above); or through our Facebook account at facebook.com/fund/midwestparenteducators.
Lastly, we are confident God has a wonderful plan and we choose to be faithful and trust in Him. While we know we are under attack, but still have the freedom to homeschool our children, we ask for your prayers for us to lead MPE as an organization that exists to support like-minded homeschooling families and glorify our Lord.
We have a very small but effective staff, lots of volunteers that keep our expenses down, low overhead, and lots of heart! If you can give some time to help others, please let us know. You will be blessed by helping.
Please visit our website for more information, call us at 913.599.0311, or email us at info@midwesthomeschoolers.org if we can help in any way.