This
phrase was a part of my life for three days of listening and reflection last
week. Two hundred leaders from across Canada and twenty guests from Australia,
Africa, and Central America gathered together for a biennial conference hosted
by Christian Schools Canada in Ottawa.
The
“how to” of being a faithful presence as a Christian School community, both for
those within it and those relative strangers to it, is worth considering. It starts with recognizing who we serve and
the context they are in.We are living in what many authors are starting to call
a Post-Christian era – an age of disillusionment, fear, and relativism. Canadians seem to bounce between apathy and
indifference all the way to other extremes of hatred and hostility toward ideas
different than their own. The middle
ground seems to be fast disappearing.
Here
are three statements that I captured that gave me pause to think about our
school’s context and role:
We can engage the world with
hope, or amplify disillusionment and despair already present.
God works through and on
behalf of the most vulnerable.
Grief is the place for
newness to be born. Hope has its first beginning in grief.
It has been a joy this morning to return to London Christian
Elementary after being away. I appreciate the warmth I heard in teachers showing
appreciation for their student’s good choices, the student pride shown in new
understanding and beautiful work shared with me, patient service to others in
need, a moment of vulnerability handled well by an older student, and an act of
selfless giving that will benefit our students this year.
May our school continue be a place that cultivates hope, conquers
fear, and treasures respect and love for neighbour.
SJ
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