Pot's Ponderings

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Did you know that in the 2013 calendar year, Beacon Christian School issued approximately 450 donation receipts? For every family that sends their children to Beacon today, there are at least four other individuals, families, or businesses quietly giving in support of this cause.

This year a number of fundraisers have taken place in support of all that occurs at Beacon Christian. The golf tournament and Applefest were both grand successes, bringing in substantial amounts of money in support of Christian education at Beacon. Christmas urns are being created and sold and each week, a number of quiet volunteers organize the Beacon Rewards program through the sale of vouchers at various stores and services around Niagara. To support our class trips and student fund, students are now selling cheese. Later this school year, other events are being planned in support of our school.

But this week, our board and development committee invite you to participate in what is, by far, our largest fundraiser.  It may lack the glitz of some of the other fundraising events at our school, but the Beacon Covenant phone drive is essential to the operation of our school.

It is humbling, really, to work at a place where people cheerfully donate to so freely. Many people give quietly, generously and even anonymously, taking Jesus’ words to heart in the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus says, “…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Know that all of the people who work at Beacon appreciate the sacrifice and generosity that many people make in support of our operations. More importantly, as you give to Beacon or any other worthy cause, know that “…your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Prayerfully consider how you can support Beacon Christian School in this phone drive. Know that each gift, regardless of size is appreciated and important.

Rainy Day Fun

Rainy Friday's can be a good thing! 

It's fun to have a change of pace at recess when it rains!

Reformation Day

Yesterday, we acknowledged Reformation Day in our weekly chapel. 

Here are some thoughts from this week's Pot's Ponderings as well as a video highlighting some of  our chapel. 

Nearly 500 years ago a movement took place within the existing Roman Catholic Church in Europe that profoundly impacted the development of western civilization. At the heart of this movement was a call back to the truths expressed in Scripture and echoed by early church leaders. These truths were summarized in five Latin phrases:

Sola Scriptura – by Scripture alone

Sola Fide – by faith alone

Sola Gratia – by grace alone

Sola Christus – by Christ alone

Sola Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory

It is my prayer that these simple statements will guide our school community in the years ahead. May we acknowledge Christ alone, as Lord of all things. As we read in the Bible, it is by grace, through faith we are made right with Him. And for that, may we give God alone the glory.

Pot's Ponderings - Entering The Story

Our lives are full of stories. Funny stories and sad stories. Redemptive stories and tragic stories. Compelling stories and boring stories.  Helpful and destructive. Joyful and despairing. Good and bad. Light and dark. 

Our many individual stories weave together to create the story of our life. In many ways we write our own story through decisions, impulses and actions that we make each day. In many more ways, the story of our life is written for us. Many of the threads of our stories are interwoven with the stories of others. Parents, relatives, friends, teachers, co-workers, etc. Each person we meet plays a part in our story. Our stories are complex, to say the least.

On Thursday and Friday of this week, our teaching staff will be attending an EDIFIDE conference. The theme for the conference is "Entering the Story'. 

As educators, we live in the space where our own personal stories intersect with the stories of our students, their families, our school community and the community in which we live. We tell our stories in part to multiply joys and divide sorrows. We seek to be part of God's story - one where he is calling us to be part of his perfect plan for redemption.

-Shannon Marcus, Chair, EDIFIDE Board of Directors

As a school and as a staff, we are thankful that we are part of your family's story. It is our hope that all of our students will recognize that they are part of a much larger redemptive story. And may we  "...fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." -Hebrews 12:2

Fairglen - By Grade 8

Fair Glen was awesome. It was one of the best experiences ever. From canoeing to rock 

climbing, we got to know each other in different ways. We had great bonding time and 

got to know each other. Through the many activities around Fair Glen, we challenged 

ourselves mentally and physically. We beat and set records in high ropes and rock 

climbing. Everyone encouraged each other. Archery was a popular sport. We learned 

more about ourselves, nature and about leadership. We learned good things and bad 

things about each other as we saw each other’s good sides and bad sides. Throughout all 

the injuries, we still had fun. We had to show a lot of the fruits of the spirit throughout 

this trip such as patience. We had to work together, as we canoed together and got stuck 

together in a swamp. We were servant leaders as we cleaned up before and after our 

meals. We were treated like royalty as we dined at the Fair Havens hall after a luxurious 

hay ride. The staff was very kind and the food was very delicious. We uncovered 

Winsten’s and Pebble’s true identities. We made many memories.

Thanksgiving through Worship

Last week we met together to worship and give thanks to our God, the giver of all good gifts. 

This tied in with our throughline this month of God worshiping.

We began our chapel with this thought:

Apostle Paul reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances. We were reminded not to act like Eyeores,

but to live with thankful hearts. Some Gr. 4 students shared some skits about what it looks like to live with an Eyeore heart, and then the same situation with a thankful heart.  It was very thought provoking to see how our reaction makes a big difference!
We were left with the challenge to choose many times, today, tomorrow and the next day to live with a grateful heart, praising God with our lives and our actions and the choices that we make.

We also enjoyed a time of worship in singing and music. 

Our Grade One class plays and sings Praise and Thanksgiving.

Our Grade Two class plays and sings Our God Reigns

Our Grade 3 Class plays and sings Thank You.

Mike's Miracles Soccer Tournament

Last Tuesday was our annual Mike’s Miracles Grade Six Soccer Tournament.

Mike’s Miracles is a charitable foundation that was set up by a student at Beacon named Mike VandenDool in the spring of 2008. Mike fought vigorously against the cancer that was invading his body for over a year before the Lord took him home, in his grade 6 year.

During his time in treatment he became increasingly aware of the hardships that many kids faced when diagnosed with cancer. He started Mike’s Miracles as a way to bring some joy to the lives of these same kids. Mike’s parents have continued the work of Mike’s Miracles since Mike’s passing. You can read about what the organization has already accomplished on the website – www.mikesmiracles.org.

Mike was an avid and talented soccer player. He was also a student who would go out of his way to include others in activities. This grade 6 tournament has been designed to encourage students to get to know other students, to work together and to celebrate their healthy bodies while playing the sport of soccer. We are excited that the VandenDool family has agreed to partner with Beacon on this event – making it a Mike’s Miracles event. Students were given a chance to play some soccer, hear about Mike and Mike’s Miracles, and meet some of the students at neighboring Christian schools.

It was a beautiful day of sport and fellowship! It was also a time to share a message about Mike's Miracles and how it tied in with Jesus' message to "Love your neighbor". The students were encouraged to "Make a positive difference" in the lives of others.