Justice Seeking

Today we had our fourth chapel on Justice Seeking. Proverbs 31:8-9 have been our focus for the last four weeks. We are called to see and act on things that are "not fair" in our world. 

We've been singing this song this month: (Great Are You Lord -All Sons and Daughters)

Today we heard the parable of the persistent widow found in Luke 18:1-8. It is perhaps a lesser known parable:

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
New International Version (NIV)

The focus of the parable is for us to persist in our faith against all odds. This includes being persistent when seeking justice for all. We need to continue to work for justice in a world full of injustices. And while we can't fix every wrong in the world, we must never give up hope.

After our time of worship together, we divided into our GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) groups and discussed what we can ask God to help us with in seeking justice at school, as well as what we can pray for in relation to seeking justice in our world. We then wrote out thoughts on hands to display as a reminder for us as we continue to seek justice in God's world.

And finally, here is our Grade Two "orffestra" playing God of Great

Justice Seeking

Our program at Beacon Christian School is woven together by ten threads called Throughlines. Throughlines are qualities that we desire our students to develop as God is revealed to them "in all things." They answer the question, "How now shall I live?

This month our focus in on the throughline Justice Seeking.

As written by the Prairie Centre for Christian Education based in Alberta, we acknowledge that the world is not as God intended it to be. U2 lead singer and social activist Bono once said, “Every age has its massive moral blind spots. We might not see them, but our children will.” We are able to lead our students to see the injustices in this world—the injustices of poverty, racism, gender inequality, war, exploitation in work places, abuse in relationships, poor governance etc. 

But seeing these things can’t be where we stop. If we do, we leave our students discouraged and hopeless. We need to enable students to act as agents of change by BOTH identifying and responding to injustices. Together we must find the moral blind spots and bring the vision of God’s kingdom to them.

The Bible is clear that justice is a central part of the shalom of God’s kingdom.  The Bible leaves no doubt that Christian lives must be lives of justice.  It is the first requirement listed in answer to Micah’s question, “What does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

God has decided to use his people (us!) to do His work in this world!  What a responsibility and privilege!  Christian education nurtures and disciples young people to take on this ongoing responsibility and to rejoice in the glimpses of the kingdom that they get in this task.

Last week, we welcome Pastor Kevin to our chapel. He told us the story of the Good Smaritan. He asked us how we wanted to be remembered?

What do we hope those who know us will see in us? Words like compassionate, caring, loving, Godly, humble, helpful, kind were some of the things our students hope others see in them. 

This week, we continued digging into what it means to seek justice.

Our Grade 1 students led us in opening worship.

We also welcomed two people who are involved in the homeless shelter at Southridge Church. 

Both spoke about finding friendship through the shelter. 

 It was interesting to meet and hear their stories and how finding friends in unlikely places has changed their lives. We were reminded that no one begins life dreaming about being homeless and that those without homes began their lives much like the rest of us. Their stories offered insight and thought into another area where we can seek to do what is just. 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) 

Go, Dogs, Go!

 

This morning our students had the opportunity to hear a short presentation from three Niagara Ice Dogs (Brendan Perlini, Aaron Haydon, Alex Nedeljkovic). The players, along with the Ice Dogs Community Liaison, Nino Bourikas, conducted an anti-bullying assembly with theme, "Just Stop It!". The Ice Dogs did a nice job explaining the three roles that are played in any sort of bullying situation, that is, the bully, the victim, and the bystander(s). They also stressed the importance of standing up against bullying, be it physical contact, or words said or written, or general behaviours.

Most interesting was that the Golden Rule was mentioned more than once - Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

As a community, it is important that we acknowledge that bullying behaviours exist. They exist in us. They exist in our kids. It is important to acknowledge that we can find ourselves in any of the three roles (bully, bystander, victim), and to consider how we can best respond when we are seeing bullying, when we are being bullied, and when we are being bullies.

Matthew 18 (especially verses 15-17) provides some great teachings regarding how we are to relate to each other, and how we need to constantly be teaching our children to relate to each other. Speaking to each other with grace, truth, and love is essential for the Christian life.

It is also worth noting that the Ice Dogs did come to play some ball hockey versus students that have joined the Beacon Hockey team. The Ice Dogs were overwhelmed with the talent (and the number) of our hockey players! A few tea

chers also had a short game versus the Ice Dogs, and despite Mr. T.'s heroics, came up a little short.

Idolatry Discerning

Each month during this school year, we focus on one throughline. 

Today we had our second chapel on the throughline Idolatry Discerning. 

This is sometimes a difficult one to understand. Tim Keller, a Presbyterian pastor in New York City, defines idolatry as "turning a good thing into an ultimate thing."  

We are blessed with many good things in our school, families and culture. But any "good thing" can become idolatrous when it becomes "the most important thing."

 

We want to understand that when other ‘things’ are more important to us than our relationship with God, they become idols. Today we looked at how our actions show what is in our hearts, more than words. And, we want to let our hearts (and actions) shine!

  Mrs. Boks provided many scenarios that have happened here at school. We explored the various reactions and decided which one let our lights shine!

It was good for us all to see how we have a choice with our words, actions and reactions! 

We also watched this video: Put God First

  

Let your light shine!

Image Reflectors

This week we continued to think about how we are called to be image reflectors. 

Our chapel began with our Grade 5 class leading us in song:

When we look in a mirror, we see the image of ourselves very clearly in it. However, if the mirror is pointed towards the ceiling, we cannot see the image. It works the same way with God. If we want to be God's image in the world, we have to be looking at God, spending time with Him and learning about Him. This will help us reflect the true image of who God is.

If we put a piece of paper in front of the mirror, we won't see an image. There can't be anything between the mirror and us. It's the same way with us and God. People can't see God's image in us if there is something between us and God. We need to make God the most important thing in our lives so that we can shine His image to the people we meet each day.  

It's not easy, but if we keep our eyes on God, put Him first, spend time with Him each day and ask for help, we can shine His light to others. 

Our kindergarten students have been teaching us a song this month called "Lighthouse" by Mary Rice Hopkins. They were great teachers of the actions as you can see below!

Well if I am salt of the earthI'll make sure my salt shaker works

And if I am a light on a hill

I will not run when I need to be still

'Cause salt can lose its flavor
And a light can grow dim
I wanna be salt of the earth
And a light to the world and my friends

I'll be a lighthouse
Shining above
I'll be a lighthouse
Sharing His love
And if my flame flickers and my well runs dry
I know Jesus lives inside
My lighthouse

I can't hide it, oh no
Like a seed, my roots need to grow
I've gotta share it, oh yes
And tell others just how I've been blessed

And they can come to the harbor of light
If they're shipwrecked again
'Cause I wanna be salt of the earth
And a light to the world and my friends

Letting our Lights Shine

Over the next week, our students in grades one through four are letting their lights shine by visiting several local retirement and nursing homes. 

They are sharing Christmas joy in song and by sharing Luke 2 from memory. 

Our students love to be out in their community and in turn, these residents are so happy to see them as well!

Here are a few video snippets of our visit this morning to Tabor Manor.

Remembrance Day Essay

Our senior students participated in the annual  Remembrance Day Literacy and Poster contest. This contest, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion, involves students in helping promote the national remembrance day service as well as honoring Canada's military heritage. Four of our students won top prizes for their poetry and essay contributions. Below is the essay entry that won first place. 

I Remember

Connor V.

I remember the first time. The first time I delivered the letter. The letter which held heartache for a whole family. The heartache came from that one letter that I delivered. I remember the gray ominous clouds looming over me, the rain dropping heavily from them. I remember going up to the door and ringing the doorbell, the footsteps coming closer to that brown door. The door slowly creaking open. I remember seeing the family, the two little girls clinging to their mother’s side. I remember her face as she recognized who I was and what news I brought. Handing her the letter, I saw the tears that started to roll down her face. I heard the small stutter she had as she asked me, “W-what happened to him?” I remember my reply, “I’m sorry ma’am.” The two kids turned around and asked their mother why she was crying. She replied, “Something happened to Daddy.” I remember those two kids starting to sob as they slowly started to understand that they wouldn't see their dad again. I remember the hug that she gave me as I said, “I’m sorry,” and then hearing the saddest, “Thank- you,” I’ve probably ever heard. I remember hearing the click of the door closing as she slowly turned around, still reading the letter in disbelief. I can see myself turning around and trudging back through the mud to get to my next house.

Upon finishing my deliveries, my thoughts turned back to that first house. I remember it well; the shingles falling off, two little kids playing together happily, a mother cooking supper, all hoping that one person in their life would make it back safe. I remember thinking of how I had just destroyed their family. I know it changed everything. I know because I remember a similar  man coming up to my front door years before. I remember my brother and I listening as my mother spoke to him and then hearing her break down and cry. I remember seeing the letter with my own eyes and reading about how my father was missing in action. Missing In Action. I remember going to my room and crying, crying for hours. I remember my mom coming in to comfort me and telling me that we weren't the only ones to get a letter like this. I remember her saying that we would be alright.

I know how they feel. I now know how that man felt giving us that letter all those years ago. I know the pain. I remember.