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Happy New Year! We survived 2023 without any changes to our homeschooling freedom. We remain vigilant to have the same result in 2024. While people think they are in control of our ways, it is God Who rules the day. Proverbs 16.9 reminds us of this truth. Nevertheless, we must pray, and we must work to ensure our legislators know our desire to remain free to lead our children in the way they should go as we determine, by God’s grace, what is best for them since we love them most and have the greatest interest in their spiritual, emotional, educational and physical development.   You can help us in this work by taking your children to see your local legislators when they have open meetings, usually at coffee shops, to share with them your love for your children and the freedom you cherish to educate them your way. We need people to make these visits in every district but, even more importantly, in those districts where the legislators are of the current majority in our state government. They have total control over our freedom, except God’s influence and His work through you with us to continue praying and working for the freedom to homeschool our children in our state without government intrusion or oversight.   I pray you will join us in this battle and that God will continue His favor upon us. Blessings and welcome to the New Year.   Mike Winter president, MiCHN THERE IS STILL TIME!!! From Friday evening to Saturday at noon, we will worship together and then hear the amazing Ginny Yurich! She will be encouraging us in our Homeschooling journey all while making us laugh a lot!! Register HERE Homeschoolers and Public School Sports   here has been a recent push from some members of the homeschooling community to pressure the state legislature to force equal access for homeschoolers to play sports in public schools. Some families feel they pay taxes and should get some return from the public schools (even if they don’t want their child to attend there full-time). I would encourage you to consider some of the reasons homeschooling parents may not actually want to push for their child to play on a public school team, and even more importantly, why involving the legislature is ill-advised. 1. When public school / homeschool partnerships were introduced in Michigan, allowing homeschoolers to have their co-op classes paid for by the local public school system, it ended up killing the majority of existing homeschool support groups and privately funded co-ops in our state. The huge network of homeschool groups that offered multiple levels of support and activities died because it’s hard to compete with “free.” It ended up giving us far less options and choices than before. I think we can safely assume the same thing will happen to our existing homeschool sports leagues here in MI if the public school becomes our go-to for sports as well as co-op classes. 2. In some states, in order to play public school sports, you need to register as a “part-time public school student,” which provides state funding for the local public school. Over time, this would increase the tax burden on citizens in the state as public school enrollment increases. (Perhaps this concern could be addressed in the legislative process by simply not allowing this when an equal access bill is drafted, but it would be a potential concern.) I do not want to increase the reach and power of the public school system by providing it with increased funding that cause our taxes to go even higher. 3. Is the social environment of the public school system something we really want our students to be involved in? Do you as a parent want your child hearing all the locker room talk and being in an environment where filthy and sexually charged language is rampant? While there is no guarantee this could never happen with a homeschool sports team, the likelihood is far less. For girls, they would need to be braced for the fact that they could be forced to play on teams with biological males. Such is the state of the public school system today. 4. The more your child is engaged in the activities of the public school, it becomes his social culture. His teammates become his friends. He is going to be far more eager to attend public school as a full-time student once he is on a team and his friends are pressuring him to go to the school. If you have decided that homeschooling is best for him, do you really want to invite a battle of him wanting to go in a different direction? 5. The public school wants to attract homeschoolers back to their system (because each student in Michigan represents $14,624 (in 2023) and they use bait like free co-op classes and sports to do so (as they often get at least partial funding for homeschooled student who participate in public school classes or activities). Should the government really be our go-to for all of our needs in life? Why can’t we create our own systems and programs without always looking to the government to be our savior and provider? If fact, we can! And we have! We have created an entirely privately-funded system of sports in Michigan and we can continue to expand it. Our privately-funded programs can remain unregulated by government control and political correctness. 6. We have seen in other states that allow equal access for sports scenarios where the entire homeschooling movement gets bad publicity because of homeschoolers being on sports teams. There is always that public school dad who thinks his kid is going to be the next NFL superstar, and his son was bumped off the team by some homeschooler “who thinks he is too good to go to public school.” The accusation is that homeschoolers are elitist, and they don’t want to be part of the normal social life of the public school, but they want to cherry-pick the perks and get benefits without really putting in the work and living the same lifestyle as everyone else. So, having homeschoolers on a public school team can sometimes sour people’s attitudes towards all homeschoolers because of the perceived injustices committed by a few. 7. In Michigan, we are currently in a legislative environment where politicians who support homeschooling are in the minority, so it can be unwise to introduce ANY homeschool legislation at this time because it waves a red flag about our presence to those would like to regulate us. In many situations, out of sight out of mind is best when the political situation is hostile to homeschooling. 8. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) is “a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools that enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract approximately 1.6 million spectators each year.” I have seen petitions floating around on social media asking for the legislature to regulate the MHSAA and force them to allow homeschoolers to play on public school teams. For the government to begin dictating policy to a non-profit is a bad precedent on many levels. We want private schools and homeschools to be able to play against each other’s teams without the government dictating policy about how that happens. As Deanna Ervin, a Michigan homeschool group leader of F.A.I.T.H. in Lapeer, said in a social media post: “(W)e began homeschool sports in our area 19 years ago because we wanted these opportunities for our homeschool children, without the inclusion of the other aspects of public-school indoctrination. Homeschool sports have a fantastic momentum, and the types of sports are continually growing. Scouting at homeschool tournaments has become very real and homeschool athletes are getting the recognition they deserve and even earning scholarships in some cases.” Summary I believe we should continue to support and expand the wonderful homeschooling sports programs in Michigan that are parent-led and parent-directed. This gives us the ultimate freedom to enjoy sports in an environment that encourages our values and does not increase the control and dominance of the government school system as the only option within our state. If homeschoolers can play public school sports, it is almost certain that homeschool teams will disappear as most homeschoolers flock back to the public school teams, which leaves us with less “school choice” than we started with! Do we really want an environment where our only choice is for our kids to play sports on a public school team? As it currently stands, we can begin our games with prayer, we can invite our own sponsors and choose our own schedule. We have freedom and flexibility as homeschoolers in our own leagues because we aren’t regulated by the state. It is for these reasons, as well as others, that we need to be very careful about assuming that equal access for homeschoolers into the public school system will be for the ultimate good and benefit of the broader homeschooling community.   Israel Wayne is a homeschooled graduate and homeschooling father of 11 who lives near Kalamazoo, MI. Israel is an author and conference speaker and director of www.FamilyRenewal.org. These are quite uncertain times. Right now, MICHN would advise you to make sure your account is up to date and accurate with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Be sure to visit their website, and if you have not done so already, BECOME A MEMBER today. What's happening at MICHN  

Merry Christmas! The team at MiCHN wishes you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! We have had a wonderful year of peace with the legislature and joy through our mom's overnight and INCH conference. Truly, the love of God has been magnanimously poured out upon us. The love of God is never ceasing, and we are excited again about the coming year's moms' overnight with the fun and encouraging Ginny Yurich. The INCH conference will be excellent; our lineup is every bit as good as last year, and I am personally excited to have Brant Hansen join us. But, the legislature is threatening to disrupt our peace by proposing legislation requiring us to register our children and have them regularly visited to ensure their safety. This is intrusive and will be vehemently resisted by MiCHN, and I hope you also. While we have nothing to hide, it is repulsive for our community to be singled out as needing greater government oversight when the children in the public venue are dramatically more neglected and abused. Will you join our efforts to keep homeschooling free in Michigan? Please donate to our organization. This keeps us able to keep you informed and our legislative team in front of legislators and partners to maintain our freedom. Attend our events. Your presence demonstrates to everyone the significance of our community and the unity of our commitment to using homeschooling as we determine best for our children to be raised in the knowledge of the Lord. Pray for us and our legislators. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Again, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Please support MiCHN with your prayers, attendance, and gifts as we work together to ensure the next generation's freedom to homeschool. Mike Winter President, MiCHN Grab your friends and join us for a refreshing, mid-winter, overnight getaway!    You are God's Masterpiece!  Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that "we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."    From Friday dinner to Saturday at noon, we will worship together and then hear the amazing Ginny Yurich! She will be encouraging us in our Homeschooling journey all while making us laugh a lot!! Register HERE MI Homeschoolers for Freedom Begin the New Year with getting your family involved in making a difference in our state! If we want to retain uninhibited homeschool freedom, NOW is the time to take action. This class will give families with older children a chance to learn how to effectively communicate with those in leadership and teach how to advocate for a position strategically. Homework assignments will include research, a hand-on writing project, and an interview. Parents are also welcome to enroll in this course on their own. Register HERE Legislative Update As Lansing settles down for a short break to enjoy the holiday season, we at MiCHN want to encourage you, our families, to take a moment and breathe. We are so happy to see the response and engagement across the state as parents go to coffee hours, town halls, and all other forms of civic engagement with our lawmakers! It is so encouraging. THANK YOU! Once again, we want to make clear there is NO SPECIFIC BILL at this point in time to restrict the rights of home educators. With that said, we have received information from legislators sympathetic to the home education community that the current plan is to slip these regulations into a "vehicle bill." What this means is that the majority does not actually need to introduce a new bill on this issue. They would like to utilize a bill they have already introduced, and simply make amendments, either in committee or on the floor. That is how they are able to say confidently that they do not have "any bill" they're looking to introduce. It is an argument of semantics. No matter what, we know they are going to make this very difficult to narrow down when and what they change. We need to keep our foot to the pedal and continue to show up and make sure our voices are heard loud and clear. In the meantime, your MiCHN legislative team is keeping our finger on the pulse in Lansing and are doing our best to keep you updated on any pertinent information as it arises. With that said, we would like to encourage you to enjoy the holiday season and allow yourself to relax and enjoy your family. Remember as this year comes to a close that you are precisely where God has called you to be. You are doing the right thing. He has called you and He will not forsake you. We are not sure what tomorrow will bring. As God so clearly spoke to Job in chapters 38-41, we must acknowledge and know in our hearts that HE is sovereign. He is the creator of all things and HE holds all things in HIS hands; that includes the hearts of the kings (legislators.) The Lord is aware of our situation and He has not grown weary in this battle. This holiday season, let's remember where our hope truly lies- in Jesus Christ alone. In him, Your Legislative Team Shante Pickford-Legislative Director Patti Sailor-Legislative Liaison These are quite uncertain times. Right now, MICHN would advise you to make sure your account is up to date and accurate with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Be sure to visit their website, and if you have not done so already, BECOME A MEMBER today. What's happening at MICHN

    It's FREE! What's stopping you? We want to share this gift with you. You will find recipes, carols, project ideas, books, and more to warm your heart, remind you of the reason for the season, and draw your family closer together. Learn to create handmade gifts for your loved ones, share with your children the rich traditions and stories of Christmas, and relish the cookie recipes and more that bring the scents of Christmas to your home. May this Christmas collection bless your family’s journey into the heart of Christmas. Free Christmas eBook   Don't Miss Out On Our FREE Christmas Advent Calendar!   Get Your Advent Calendar HERE

Our MiCHN family and friends, “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7   We want to thank you for your patience as we have begun to sort through and come to understand the full extent of everything going on in Lansing right now. With the latest developments and statements from certain elected officials, we know there are many unanswered questions, concerns, fears, and doubts that you all have. It is our hope and prayer that this letter and all the information within will help guide you and bring some momentary peace to a very volatile situation. Many of you may even be largely unaware of what has been happening. On December 2, 2023, the Washington Post published a story highlighting the abuse and death of a child whose family claimed to “homeschool.” MiCHN’s own Vice-President, Israel Wayne was highlighted and quoted in that article, in defense of you, our homeschooling families. Since the release of that article, Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel has called for “monitoring mechanisms'' to be used in order to “protect children.” Along with the Attorney General, Representative Matt Koleszar (D-22nd District) has also called for the registration and regulation of home educators state-wide. First, we must stress with you that as of the writing of this letter, no bill has formally been introduced to either chamber of our legislature. With that said, Representative Koleszar has stated that the legislature is “likely to see a bill” when they reconvene next month in the beginning of January. With that said, MiCHN does not expect a vote to take place on ANY bill introduced to the legislature until the two vacant seats left by Representative Coleman and Representative Stone are filled after the special elections on April 16, 2024. This means we, as a community, have a lot of work ahead of us. So what CAN we do? PRAY! We are in a situation that is going to require God to move and lead. If you are not accustomed to spending time in prayer, we would encourage you and your family to begin doing so.   Pray for the following: State law-makers whose hearts need to be softened toward homeschooling families Attorney General Dana Nessel State Representative Matt Koleszar (House Education Committee Chair) State Senator Dayna Polehanki (Senate Education Committee Chair) Governor Gretchen Whitmer Your own state representative and state senator (FIND THEM HERE)   State law-makers fighting for the rights of homeschoolers State Representative Jaime Greene State Representative Gina Johnsen State Representative Luke Meerman State Senator Lana Theis State Senator Ruth Johnson   Your MiCHN Team We are working and communicating non-stop in order to make sure we are understanding and pursuing all the right channels we need to in order to give this the best fight possible. We are all volunteers. We are tired. We have families. Please pray for strength, perseverance, and protection. Educate yourself on the issue. You can’t defend to your family and friends what you truly don’t understand. Below you will find a few resources we have compiled to make it easier for you. Please visit each website and familiarize yourself with the arguments to defend home education against these ridiculous arguments about abuse. https://www.nheri.org/child-abuse-and-neglect-of-the-homeschooled-versus-the-conventionally-schooled-groundbreaking-study/ https://homeschoolfreedom.com/homeschooling-and-abuse https://homeschoolingbackgrounder.com/   Talk to EVERYONE! Word of mouth is the best way forward right now. Make sure you are sharing this information with everyone you know. GET THE WORD OUT.   Be prepared to sacrifice your TIME. Come January, things could ramp up quickly in Lansing. Strategize with your family and friends and come to Lansing to sit in on education committee meetings. Lawmakers in Lansing listen to those who show up. Let’s pack the committee meetings. If your children are well behaved, bring them along. This is a great opportunity for them to experience civics first-hand. Phone calls to your state senator and state representative is a HUGE thing you can do. You can find their contact information by visiting the state’s website for your lawmaker. If you live in Representative Koleszar or Senator Polehanki’s districts, this is IMPERATIVE!! (FIND THEM HERE)  Write a letter to your state senator or state representative. (Find them HERE)  We have attached a form letter you are more than welcome to use. Please note: most lawmakers agree these letters do NOT do much to persuade them. When they receive form letters, they often end up in a bin never to be read. MiCHN would recommend you utilize our draft as a starting point and create your own letter to your lawmakers. (See below)    Financial Support. As mentioned above, everyone at MiCHN are volunteers. They volunteer their time, gifts/talents, and experience to fight for you. Every dollar you donate to MiCHN goes directly to the fight we are about to face. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us through an end-of-year donation. We are a 501c3 and your donation is tax deductible. (DONATE HERE)   Prepare your homeschool. We at MiCHN recommend you: Become a member of HSLDA right now. The threat is looming and you want to make sure you’re legally ready for any fight ahead. (Get our discount HERE) Keep records. We do not know yet what this bill will look like and what they hope to impose on us. By keeping records, you are preparing yourself for what could be ahead. Sign-up at our website to receive legislative updates. (Do that HERE) While it is not our goal to spam your email, things in Lansing can change quickly. The best and quickest way to communicate with all of you is through our email system. The last thing we want to mention is that we are strategizing and planning a Facebook/Twitter Live video where you can engage with us and ask us questions directly. While the details of this event are still forthcoming, we want you to be aware and be on the lookout. This will be a great opportunity for you to come directly to us with your questions regarding all the above and the situation quickly unfolding in our state’s capital. We love and appreciate each and every one of you. You and your families are why we do what we do. Keep your faith in the Lord, rest in Him and His peace. Through it all, He remains sovereign. Your MiCHN Legislative Team: Israel Wayne-Vice President Shanté Pickford-Legislative Director Patti Sailor-Legislative Liaison See the form letter HERE

MiCHN Condemns State Representative Koleszar’s Attempt to Blame Michigan Homeschool Families for State’s Failure to Protect Foster Kids Lansing, MI  The Michigan Christian Homeschool Network today condemned a social media post from State Representative Matt Koleszar (D-22nd District) that called for increased regulations of homeschool families following an unrelated case of abuse within the foster care system of Michigan. In response, Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (MICHN) Vice-President Israel Wayne issued the following statement: “MiCHN is unequivocally opposed to any and all abuse of children, and believe those who abuse children should be prosecuted by the adequate child abuse laws that already exist in our state. Instead of exploiting a false political narrative about home education to make headlines, Representative Koleszar’s time would be better spent focusing on improving Michigan’s struggling public school system, focusing his attention on the real problems that plague the state’s Child Protective Services and the abuse of children in union-backed schools." “We have fought long and hard in both the courts and the legislature to secure our current Michigan homeschool laws, and today we reiterate our position that we will resist, to the fullest measure, any efforts to restrict the homeschool freedoms that families have enjoyed since 1993. Homeschool families should not be burdened with additional regulations because of a few bad parents who break the law and abuse their children.” The Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (MICHN) was founded in 1984 to advance homeschool freedom in the state of Michigan so that it can be a place for families to freely pass on their values and faith, training their children through home-based, parent-directed, privately-funded home education.   We have more research and information HERE. Read MiCHN's Statement on Abuse and Child Protection Policy. Homeschooling and Abuse. Child Abuse and Neglect of the Homeschooled Versus the Conventionally Schooled: Groundbreaking Study. One child fatality is one too many.

A History of Homeschooling in Michigan   In 1984, Information Network of Christian Homes (INCH) was founded by Dennis and Roxanne Smith, as the first Christian state homeschooling organization in Michigan. They hosted their first homeschooling conference and began homeschooling advocacy work. The DeJonge Case On September 20, 1984, Ottawa County contacted homeschooling parents Mark & Christine DeJonge to inform them they were illegally homeschooling their two young children. The DeJonges were not certified teachers and therefore were deemed in violation of the state’s compulsory attendance law. On March 28, 1985, truancy charges were filed against the DeJonges. They were convicted of violating Michigan's certification requirement for home schooling. On April 23, 1985, warrants were issued for their arrests, with charges of criminal truancy. The DeJonges contacted HSLDA who retained Michigan attorney David Kallman to defend them. Kallman introduced test scores from the DeJonge’s children, demonstrating they both scored above the 90th percentile, but the evidence was not permitted. The DeJonges were convicted and sentenced to two years’ probation, fined $200, and ordered to find certified instruction or choose public schooling. Christopher Klicka of HSLDA got a stay of sentence and appealed the case to a higher court. The Bennett Case John and Sandra Bennett were homeschooling their four children, but in 1986 they were charged with four counts of truancy during the 1985-86 school year because they were not certified teachers. The Bennetts were found guilty by the 35th District Court and fined $50 for each count. Their children were enrolled in Clonlara School (a Catholic private school in Ann Arbor, founded by Pat Montgomery). David Kallman’s Workload Increases On June 7, 1986, David Kallman won the Haines, Smolls, and Gibson vs. Runkel case where parents were originally charged with truancy, but all charges were dropped! School districts soon started sending letters to homeschoolers, asking if they were certified (to get them to admit their own guilt). HSLDA told people not to respond and used stalling tactics with school boards to avoid ending up in court. The DeJonge Case Continues Even as late as August 9, 1989, the DeJonge case was still winding its way through the courts. The Court of Appeals affirmed ruling against the DeJonges, but HSLDA appealed the case to the Michigan Supreme Court. Persecution against Homeschoolers Escalates Between 1985-1993, over 500 homeschooling families were threatened annually with prosecution. In those days, truancy officers often carried guns which made for scary home visit situations! In December 1991, four HSLDA families were threatened with arrest. In January 1992, Farris and Klicka of HSLDA filed a civil rights case (Arnett vs. Middleton) and sued the prosecutor, the superintendent, and the school district for violating homeschoolers’ civil rights! They quickly backed off! The DeJonge Case Decided On November 10, 1992, Farris argued People vs. DeJonge before the Michigan Supreme Court. The same day, Farris, Klicka and Kallman argued People v. Bennett regarding religious exemption from Compulsory Attendance. Two days later, Clonlara v. State Board of Ed. was argued in Michigan Supreme Court. On May 25, 1993, Clonlara was decided by a 4-3 vote in the Michigan Supreme Court removing the teacher certification requirement. Finally, after nearly a decade in court, the DeJonge’s previous legal convictions were reversed. God Answers Prayer The initial state Supreme Court decision was 4-3 against the DeJonges; however, the day before the decision was published, Justice Levin surprisingly told Chief Justice Cavanaugh he wanted to change his vote. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to change his vote. There had been prayer meetings all over the state for these court cases and it was clear that, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Prov. 21:1, NKJV). MiCHN’s New Legacy Begins In 2010, Dennis and Roxanne Smith retired from their leadership role with INCH, and Michael and Kim Winter (homeschooling parents of ten and co-op leaders in Lansing) began leading the organization with their team of volunteers. In 2019, INCH was rebranded as Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (MiCHN) and became a 501-c-3 non-profit organization. You can learn more about MiCHN at www.HomeschoolMichigan.org.   Israel Wayne is a homeschooled graduate and homeschooling father of eleven. He and his wife are founders of Family Renewal, LLC and serve on the leadership team for Michigan Christian Homeschool Network.  

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 As we prepare to meet with our families to celebrate God’s goodness, to us as a nation and then to our families. MiCHN would invite you to give thanks with us for His protection of homeschooling in Michigan as well. A new party controls all branches of government in our state, and while we were concerned that changes would be made to our freedom of homeschooling, that has not occurred. We give thanks for God’s kindness and protection of us. So far….. Even today, our Vice President of MiCHN is speaking with the Washington Post over the concern that Michigan does not have enough government oversight of our homeschool freedom. MiCHN resists all manner of coercion from the media or the government toward restricting our freedom to homeschool. As God commands through the writing of the Apostle Paul, we give thanks. As God commands through again through Paul, we pray. We invite you to give thanks, and we ask you to continue praying for the freedom in Michigan to instruct our children in the way they should go, the way we as their parents have determined best, for knowing Jesus as King and obeying everything He commands. Happy Thanksgiving, Mike Winter President, MiCHN     Days are set aside to give thanks...and to shop for great deals. #GivingTuesday is a day to give back! Will you give?   On Tuesday, November 28th—following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday—we celebrate #GivingTuesday, a day that empowers people like you and me to support causes we believe in. The past few years have rocked the education community. Threats to our homeschool freedom have increased even as we struggle to face the explosive needs of the growing homeschool community.  Because of generous donations from families like yours, many families seeking help this year were equipped and encouraged. Together, we can make a powerful impact on the future of homeschooling.  Will you partner with us to take a stand for homeschool freedom? Yes, Here's my #GivingTuesday gift.   With your support—and the Lord's help—we can continue to monitor school board meetings, build bridges with those the Lord has placed in our government, monitor legislation, and inspire and equip parents on their homeschool journey. Your gift will make a difference.    Donate HERE Legislative Update What a legislative season it has been! If you have not been keeping up with things here in Lansing, you have missed quite the ride. Lansing has been a bustling city of activity as the current majority has pushed through every desired piece of legislation they wanted in record timing, giving little room for any debate or discussion in either chamber. With that said, I am relieved to report to you that home education remains completely free of any regulations at this time in the great state of Michigan. On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the 2023 legislature passed a resolution to adjourn sine die today at noon, effectively ending the legislative session for 2023. (This is the earliest the legislature has adjourned in 55 years.) By this, we are guaranteed to maintain our current freedoms, at least through the end of the calendar year; likely through the end of this school year. With that in mind, please be sure to reach out to your local state officials and thank them for their work, wish them well over the holiday break, and seek to pray with them and for them. You can find out who your state legislators are by visiting HERE for your state representative and HERE for your state senator.   We will continue to monitor legislation as it is introduced in committees when the legislators return to Lansing in January, 2024.   These are quite uncertain times. Right now, MICHN would advise you to make sure your account is up to date and accurate with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Be sure to visit their website, and if you have not done so already, BECOME A MEMBER today.   What's happening at MICHN   Copyright © 2022 MICHN, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 4407 W St. Joseph Hwy Lansing, MI 48917

    Friday, November 3, 2023 5th Annual National Homeschool Day of Prayer   Join homeschool families across the nation and the world in a special day of prayer.    Follow the Homeschool Freedom Facebook page for hourly prayer prompts starting at 10:00 AM (EDT), special guests throughout the day, and more. This annual event takes place the first Friday of November.    FREE ACTIVITY GUIDE Download the free activity guide and print copies for each of your children to enjoy the activity and coloring pages throughout the day and beyond. Learn More HERE         A Heritage of Prayer in our Nation Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as we follow in our founding fathers’ footsteps and seek the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. This is a call for us to humbly come before God and seek His guidance and grace for our individual lives and our nation. Paul offers some encouragement.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7 Early Americans knew God’s word and the power of prayer, and their letters and diaries show us that they regularly prayed for wise leaders who would protect the people’s rights, for the strength to do their jobs well, and for wisdom to raise children who would honor God and become good citizens. Prayer is a vital part of the heritage of our nation.    Public Prayer In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom as they discussed the birth of a new nation. The call to prayer has continued throughout our history as President Lincoln proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863.  Then in 1952, Congress passed a joint resolution that President Truman signed declaring an annual national day of prayer.  A few decades later, the Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983). Now there have been more than 1,526 state and federal calls for national prayer since 1775.   Homeschoolers Pray Just as early Americans sought God in prayer concerning private and public matters, so too homeschoolers must seek God as we are faced with challenging times in our nation and our homes.  God has richly blessed homeschoolers in America, giving us the freedom to raise and teach our children as we see fit. But this freedom doesn’t come with a lifetime guarantee. It was fought for and prayed for by courageous pioneer homeschoolers, and to keep it will require vigilance on our part. Let us follow in their footsteps as we continue to pray for and protect homeschool freedom across our nation. As homeschoolers, we fill so many different roles in our families, churches, and communities. The responsibilities can be overwhelming. Paul tells us in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” God hears our prayers for our families and children, and He is faithful and merciful.   The Homeschool Community Prays Homeschoolers may be known for their individuality, but we know how to come together to support, protect, and pray for what’s important!  Join us this Friday, November 3 as we pray for homeschooling across the nation and the globe. Prayer is powerful! Don’t miss this event!   Do you have a unique promotion idea?  Do you want to help with future National Homeschool Day of Prayer events?  Let us know!

Mark your calendar and make plans to pray with us Friday, November 3, 2023 for this year's National Homeschool Day of Prayer!   PLEASE JOIN US AND OTHER HOMESCHOOLERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WE: Give thanks for the freedom we have to homeschool our children, Pray for homeschooling families in your own nation and around the world, Pray for upcoming elections and the impact they may have on homeschooling, Pray for your state’s homeschool organization and its leaders. Pray for your elected officials to recognize that the education of children is the responsibility of the parents, not that of the nation, Pray for your own family—your homeschooling journey and the Lord’s guidance as you take that journey, your relationships with one another, your own children and their futures, as well as seeking ways your family can minister to others, Rejoice in God’s mercy and His faithfulness in all things. Keep an eye out for a Free activity guide - interactive worksheets & more Facebook updates.      A Surrendered Homeschool Do you struggle with fears and insecurities in your homeschool? Do you fret about your child's education or future?   Homeschooling is important work! As parents, we face many decisions about curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and the unique needs of each of our children. It can feel overwhelming. Yet, God, the Creator of our children and the giver of all good gifts, calls and equips us to homeschool. He invites us to steward this responsibility by surrendering our fears, anxieties, and children at the foot of the cross. At the cross we exchange fear for the perfect peace that comes through the finished work of Jesus. It is easy to become distracted by the world's standards and systems of achievement. We can take comfort that God has good plans for each of our children. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5 Hannah demonstrated a heart posture of surrender - "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:27-28 Our best plans for our children pale in comparison with God's plans for them. The safest place for them is in the perfect will of God. We only need to seek Him for direction. "Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:3-5 We have freedom in Christ to homeschool with joy! Ann Troast  Founder of Four Square Community & Creator of Without Doors Curriculum     Find Ann's Bible Study Resources HERE     Day at the Dome (DATD)! We. had. an. amazing. day! Thank you to our POWERFUL Keynote speaker & friend, Amy J. Hawkins! God continued to bless us with all the Senators, Representatives, and Legislatures that came out to speak and support our Homeschool freedoms.  We were able to come together to celebrate our homeschooling journey, learn about Michigan's rich history, and embrace the precious freedoms we hold dear. Don't miss this next year! It is a place for our homeschooling community to stand strong and show Michigan that freedom is a gift worth treasuring. The right to homeschool here in Michigan was earned by homeschooling families like yours, spending their time getting to know their legislators and vice versa. In order for these rights to continue, our generation must continue doing what the pioneers of home education did: build bridges with our legislators. This is, perhaps, the most important generation to take up that cause. Save the date for next year!  Find Next Year's Date HERE   Building Bridges and Defending Freedom We have put together a list of ideas for you and your family, in order to help connect with your local legislators. By doing so, you will build bridges and tear down barriers. You will help create a positive relationship between the homeschool community and our legislature. If you make the time, you will earn their confidence and be given the opportunity to converse with them about issues that are important to you, despite their political persuasion. Here are some ideas to help you get started: 1. Figure out who represents you in Lansing. a. State Representative CLICK HERE b. State Senator Locator CLIK HERE 2. Write a letter introducing yourself and your family. In the letter thank them for all their hard work and service to the people of Michigan. Tell them you are praying for them and ask if they have any specific prayer requests. If they share a request, be sure to follow up with a ‘Thinking of You Note’ and see how they are doing. 3. Visit them in their local district office or in Lansing. Many legislators set aside certain times in their districts to meet with their constituents, that’s you. Many of these are labeled as “coffee hours.” Attend these coffee hour breaks and engage in a respectful conversation with them. Let them get to know you. 4. Send cards of encouragement throughout the year. The beginning of their term, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are all great opportunities to thank them for their service. 5. Invite them to homeschooling events in your area. Picnics, programs, graduations, concerts, etc. Let your local legislator SEE the opportunities homeschool families have. 6. Consider volunteering in their office or on their campaign. If they share your values, offer your time to help. Homeschoolers can assist with mailings, phone calls, placing yard signs, distributing literature door-to-door, marching in local parades, etc. God has blessed the homeschoolers in Michigan because of the relationship-building that has gone on for many years between homeschooling families and our legislators. For decades, there have been firewalls in both the House and Senate Education Committees, men and women who have stood strong for our homeschooling freedoms, because they know us and trust us. This is no longer the case. In all things, we must acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty. Proverbs 21:1 “The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes.” Our state is in God's hands. Let’s build bridges, not barriers with those the Lord has placed in our government. Then trust him to do the rest as he wills. God bless your homeschool family as you continue to trust Him in all you do. -Your MiCHN Legislative Team   MiCHN remains opposed to any and all government funding for homeschooling. Today, our Vice President, Israel Wayne will be representing MiCHN at a panel discussion in Grand Rapids on school choice hosted by Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP). MiCHN was invited as a guest to help make people aware of home education as an education option in our state. Israel's participation in the event is to help bring a greater awareness to homeschooling and should not in any way be seen as MiCHN supporting or endorsing the views of any other panelists or hosting organizations regarding their thoughts about government-funding options for homeschoolers. MiCHN is resolute on this issue and has not changed in any way regarding their commitment to support only privately-funded options for home education in Michigan. One of the most pressing issues in many states right now is the issue of “School Choice.” Israel has written an amazing blog HERE, to break down the points that are vital for us to consider. These are quite uncertain times. Right now, MICHN would advise you to make sure your account is up to date and accurate with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Be sure to visit their website, and if you have not done so already, BECOME A MEMBER today. What's happening at MICHN

2 Timothy 2.1-4, commands I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.   Day at the Dome is a MiCHN critical event. We must pray for our government leaders in obedience to God's command and demonstrate our commitment to their welfare while entreating them and the Almighty for continual blessing on our freedom to disciple our children at home.   Freedom to disciple our children at home through home education was only codified into our law in December 1995, not even thirty years ago. Hard work, pain, and many prayers led to God's movement of Michigan Supreme Court Justices and State Legislators to open the door for Christian parents to disciple their children at home full-time without government hassle or interference.   We must continue to pray. We must continue to work. Failure means some will suffer again for defying the law of men to obey God's command to train up our children in His way that they should go. I invite you to keep praying, join us for prayer, and show our legislators our commitment to freedom, home discipleship, and their welfare on October 4th.   Mike Winter President, MiCHN     Join Us for a Day of Learning, Faith, Family Fun, and Freedom: Homeschooling 'Day At The Dome' Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable day of learning, faith, family fun, and the celebration of homeschooling in Michigan. Register HERE The Day At The Dome Experience: Let's delve into the exciting lineup of activities that await you and your family: 1. Field Trips Around Lansing: Explore the vibrant city of Lansing as we embark on field trips to fascinating destinations. From historical landmarks to hidden gems, you'll get a taste of the rich tapestry of our state's capital. You can easily download this app from Choose Lansing and get a digital passport to special stops around the capitol of Michigan. Simply click HERE and scroll down to the bottom where you'll find your Greater Lansing Experience Pass. Within the app you'll find discounts and more to some pretty fun places! Please note these field trips will be self-guided and are not pre-planned. Attend as many and as few as you'd like! 2. Guided Capitol Building Tours: Step inside the majestic Capitol building and uncover its secrets. Our guided tours will take you through the halls of democracy, where you'll learn about Michigan's history and the legislative process.  3. Legislative Visits: Engage in meaningful discussions with lawmakers and gain insight into the legislative workings of our state. Your voice matters, and this is your chance to be an active participant in the democratic process. 4. Self -Guided Prayer Walk: Join us in a heartfelt prayer walk around the Capitol grounds. It's a moment of reflection, unity, and gratitude as we seek God for HIS guidance for our homeschooling journey, the future of our children and our state. Find Prayer Walk HERE. 5. Rally at the Steps: We will start our time gathering with fellow homeschooling families on the steps of the Capitol for a Homeschool rally. Feel the energy and camaraderie as we celebrate Homeschooling and the freedoms we hold dear. See full schedule HERE.   A FREE Michigan Unit Study Plan: But the excitement doesn't stop with the event itself. As a special gift to you, we're offering a free 5-day Michigan Unit study plan. This comprehensive plan covers four key areas: History: Delve into the captivating history of Michigan, from Native American cultures to the industrial revolution and beyond. Geography: Explore Michigan's diverse landscapes, from the Great Lakes to rolling hills and bustling cities. Science: Discover the wonders of Michigan's natural world, from its abundant wildlife to geological marvels. Civics: Understand the principles of democracy, citizenship, and civic responsibility that are at the core of our state and nation. By the end of this 5-day journey, not only will your kids have a deeper understanding of Michigan, but they'll also be filled with awe and pride for our state, as well as thankfulness to God for the freedoms we enjoy. Click HERE to get yours:)    See our great lineup of speakers for Day at the Dome (DATD)!  Let's take a moment to reflect on the precious freedom we enjoy as homeschooling families in Michigan. Our right to educate our children at home is a treasure, one that previous generations have fought to secure. As we gather for "Day At The Dome," let's remember that freedom is not free, and it's our responsibility to cherish and protect it for the generations to come. Keynote Speaker: Amy J. Hawkins:  Visit Amy J. Hawkins' Website Amy J. Hawkins is a visionary in her field, and her words have the power to ignite change and innovation. But that's not all! Our event is packed with influential voices that are shaping the future of our nation: Representative Jaime Greene   Explore Representative Jaime Greene's Insights Representative Luke Meerman   Discover More About Representative Luke Meerman Senator Lana Theis   Meet Senator Lana Theis Senator Ruth Johnson   Get to Know Senator Ruth Johnson     These are quite uncertain times. Right now, MICHN would advise you to make sure your account is up to date and accurate with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Be sure to visit their website, and if you have not done so already, BECOME A MEMBER today. What's happening at MICHN      

      ***We have a Free  Homeschooling Planner all set for your 2023-2024 year.*** Need activities to add to your planner? We got you covered with HOMESCHOOL WEEK activities!  Homeschool discounts galore:  BOTH Sea Life Michigan & LegoLand have their Homeschool Week September 25-29, 2023! & BOTH with 50% off tickets!  Detroit Zoo (More details to come, keep checking HERE)  Historic Sauder Village, September 6 - 8, 2023. Ohio’s largest living-history village Michigan Renaissance Festival, September 29, 2023. *Deadline for form 9/22 Homeschool Days at the Muskegon Museum of History and Science Start September 11, 2023 and goes all school year!  Homeschool Discovery Days at the Air Zoo, October 3, 2023 – Living in Space. New themes each month, runs until May.  Get Your FREE Planner HERE

Check out our new, FREE Homeschool Planner for 2023-2024 HERE!