November 14 Home Communicator – Every year at HCS, as in every school in the area, we naturally focus on how we can develop content area knowledge in each of our students. Each day is filled with math problems, writing strategies, reading, painting, or running. One of the blessings about being at HCS is that this is not all we focus on. Faith nurturing is the most important part of each day — teachers spend time in prayer with and for students, they discuss Bible stories, and lock away Bible verses through memory. Last week the middle school was able to spend the entire week with even a little more focus on this area in our lives.
Spiritual Emphasis Week or (S.E.W) is a week spent with an intentional focus on one area of our spiritual growth and formation. This year’s theme was “Building Bridges” based on 1 John 4:7-8 which says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” In this world where we are constantly taught fear and anger what a great opportunity to experience how God is love, and through sending His son Jesus, He teaches us how to love.
Through the week students and staff were challenged to look at their relationships. Through a series of chapels by Fig VanderMolen as well as work in homerooms they wrestled with questions such as, “How are you maintaining your bridge in relationships you currently have?” “What do you need to repair in some bridges that may not be safe to cross anymore?” “How do you build a new bridge to those around you?” These are great questions that all of us can use and ponder in our daily workplaces and lives.
I thank all of the volunteers and work that the committee put into this special week. I continue to be amazed by the Christian community and work that is being cultivated each day in our lives. Let us not forget that God is continuing to write The Story through us!
In Christ,
Justin Knot, Director of Curriculum
