HOME COMMUNICATOR
If you’ve been reading these opening letters in the Home Communicator lately, you might already know that our staff has been reading and discussing the book Dear Parent: A Guide for Family Faith Formation by Laura and Robert Keely. I have been blessed to be part of many of the grade level team meetings over the past few weeks as we have discussed the chapters together.
”Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8a NIV
This past week, almost every group I was part of mentioned a section of Chapter 2, titled, “Being and Dwelling”. We live in such a fast-paced world and we are so, so busy. We are focused on doing more things, accomplishing tasks, and achieving new heights, but the Keelys state that growing and nurturing our faith and the faith of children isn’t just about doing. We also need to take time to simply be and dwell with God. Just talking about it with the teachers brought a sense of calm and peace around the table.
Finding time to be and dwell in a busy school day can be a challenge, but let me share a story from one of our elementary teachers. In the beginning of the school year when everything was new and students had not yet learned the routines and procedures of the day, this teacher was having a day where everything just felt overwhelming. Out of that overwhelming feeling came a nudge from the Holy Spirit to take time to “rest with the Lord,” as she so beautifully put it. She decided to lead her class in a time of being and dwelling. For a chunk of time that day, the students rested with the Lord. Some read their Bibles and made notes about what they read. Some prayed quietly or used the time to write down a prayer. Some sang along quietly with the worship music playing in the background and some practiced their Bible memory verses. What a beautiful picture of what it looks like to grow in our relationship with God, even at a young age!
As we look forward to the joy, excitement, and (most likely) frenzy of the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I encourage you and your families to plan a time to rest with the Lord even amidst all of the hustle and bustle this season brings. He desires to have that relationship with us.
In His service,
Tricia Kiepert
Elementary Principal
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school for 3 School through eighth grade November 27-29. Kids’ Corner and our school offices will also be closed. Thank you!
Christmas Blessings – Share Yours!
Some of our HCS families are experiencing struggles due to employment issues, health concerns, etc. Please prayerfully consider how your family can bless another HCS family in need this Christmas season. If you know of a family in need, please contact Devon Brinks, Tricia Kiepert or Chris Achterhof. Gift card donations in any amount to Family Fare, Meijer, Target, Walmart, and Speedway, can be dropped off in the school offices until December 17.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu and other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Christmas Celebration
The 1st thru 4th graders are excited to celebrate Christmas with you at Fair Haven Church on Monday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. We ask that out of respect for everyone attending, please no saving of seats before the doors open. Additional parking is available at Jenison ECC, please do not park on the grass.
Students may be dropped off in the gym across from the sanctuary between 6:40-6:45 p.m. There will be no supervision provided until 6:40, so please keep your children with you until that time.
If you are not able to attend in the evening or would rather come during daylight hours, you are welcome to attend our matinee starting at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2. We do ask that everyone attend only ONE of the programs. Thank you for your help in making this a wonderful celebration of the gift of God’s Son.
Love Bazaar
The Love Bazaar is ready to deck the halls at HCS NEXT WEEK!! December 6, your child will find the gym transformed into a holiday shop! Start digging in your closet for the most festive sweaters as the Love Bazaar Committee invites students and teachers to join the volunteers in wearing the jolliest colors! If you signed up to volunteer this year please check your email for important information regarding how your shift will look. Also, please be sure to find a replacement if you are no longer able to fulfill your shift. Your child should have brought home a Love Bazaar information packet. Please take a look at the information and have your kids fill out their list, and check it twice, to make sure it is immediate family only. THANK YOU to all who donated wrapping items! It’s going to be the best day!!!
Boots and Snow Pants
Please be reminded of our guidelines for boots and snow pants. Young 5s – 2nd grade students should have snow pants and boots at school for when the playground conditions warrant wearing them. If the playground is snowy and/or wet these students must wear these items. If they don’t have boots or snow pants, they will still go out but will need to stay on the blacktop. Students in grades 3 & 4 may use their own discretion regarding boots and snow pants, but if they choose to get wet, they will not be permitted to call home for dry clothing.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM on Tuesday and Friday. Parents are welcome to join us! If you would like to view the Middle School Chapels at a later time, you can also find recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel.
- Tuesday, November 26 – Dean Ritsema and Bob Meengs leading chapel
- Tuesday, December 2-6 Spiritual Emphasis Week
Ski Club Forms Due
Ski club forms are due today, November 26. Information can be found in the email sent out to all 6th-8th Grade parents last week. Additional forms and information sheets can also be found in the middle school office. Contact Mr Lowe with any questions clowe@4hcs.org.
Spiritual Emphasis Week
Spiritual Emphasis Week will be taking place in the middle school December 2 – 6. Please be in
prayer for the teachers as they lead the students through this special week and that the students may experience the Spirit working in their hearts during this time.
Middle School Orchestra Concert
Please come and join the 6th-8th Grade Orchestras in concert with the Unity Christian High School Orchestras on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30. This concert will be held at the JCA (Jenison Public Center for the Arts). Students will need to arrive at 7:00. Please note the doors for the hall will not be open before 7:00. Students will need to wear their orchestra uniforms: Black on the Bottom and white on top. No tennis shoes – please wear black shoes or black socks. This is going to be a fun and exciting night for the orchestras – all are welcomed!
Middle School Band/Choir Concert
The 6th-8th Grade Bands and Choirs will be performing at our annual HCMS Winter Concert on Monday, December 9 at the Fair Haven Church. The Concert begins at 7:00 and students’ call time is 6:40. Students should be in formal concert attire (white shirt with black bottoms and black shoes). However, students MAY add a splash of color (green, red, gold, silver, or blue) with a tasteful accessory. NO santa hats or elf ears, please. Choir students will be sitting with Parents/Guardians when they are not performing. Band students will be on the stage the entire concert. We’re looking forward to a fun evening of music filled with many Christmas favorites!
Middle School Thanksgiving Collection
The Student Leaders had chosen the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Shoebox Drive for its Thanksgiving project. The Middle school students were able to collect 205 shoeboxes filled with toys, craft materials and basic necessities for children!! In addition to the shoe boxes, $1251 was raised to help support the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas. Pray that the children who receive these boxes are truly blessed this Christmas season. Thanks to all that helped make this collection a success.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Holly Jolly Christmas Market
The Holly Jolly Christmas will take place at Zutphen CRC (3223 40th Ave. Hudsonville, MI) on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Shop over 50 vendors of local crafters and businesses. You will find live Christmas trees, winter porch pots, handmade poured soaps and candles, gourmet jerky, Christmas decor, boutique items and more! Grab a friend for a day of Christmas shopping fun complete with lunch, hot cocoa bar, raffle drawings, and a festive atmosphere! All proceeds benefit our Youth Missions Fund.
Middle School Wrestling Team for Boys and Girls
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a Middle School Wrestling team for boys and girls in grades 6 – 8. This program will run from January 6 to February 12 and will consist of practices and matches against other area middle schools. The practices and home wrestling matches will be held at the Hudsonville Christian Elementary West Gym. All experience levels are welcome, whether you have wrestled before or not! The cost to participate is $80, and the deadline to register is December 18. Please go to https://unitychristianathletics.org/main/campsclinics/ for more information/schedule and an on-line registration link.
