Well, I didn't figure out what went wrong at the end of the semester. I know that part of it was a lack of attention on my part, but I can't explain the vanishing posts!
We started today with an a capella version of "Seek Ye First" and a conversation about the game of hide and seek. We heard a version of an old Jewish folk tale in which a little boy sob to his grandfather that his friends stopped looking for him. His grandfather replies that God is also sad because we have stopped looking for God in our world.
Perhaps a good way to begin the year is with our eyes peeled for God.
"Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; call upon him when he draws near." Isaiah.
Showing posts with label beginning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginning. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Monday, August 23, 2010
Do-Overs (a.k.a. Be gentle)
My first week of school didn't go perfectly. It was wonderful ... just not "perfect." I made a few mistakes; well, okay, a bunch. Fortunately, we are part of a community of grace and forgiveness, and I know that I shouldn't just give up on the whole year at this point. We seek excellence around here, but we do so as imperfect creatures.
A few words from Always We Begin Again, which happens to have been written by John McQuiston, my father.
"When we rise from sleep let us rise for the joy
of the true Work that we will be about on this day,
and considerately cheer one another on.
Life will always provide matters for concern.
Each day, however, brings with it reasons for joy.
Every day carries the potential
to bring the experience of heaven;
have the courage to expect good from it.
Be gentle with this life,
and use the light of life
to live fully in your time."
A few words from Always We Begin Again, which happens to have been written by John McQuiston, my father.
"When we rise from sleep let us rise for the joy
of the true Work that we will be about on this day,
and considerately cheer one another on.
Life will always provide matters for concern.
Each day, however, brings with it reasons for joy.
Every day carries the potential
to bring the experience of heaven;
have the courage to expect good from it.
Be gentle with this life,
and use the light of life
to live fully in your time."
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Early Childhood Chapel Begins
Monday, August 16, 2010
Opening Chapel
Here are a few words from Mrs. Shaw's opening address ...
This morning, you are sitting in a sacred place. As you sit in the Church of the Holy Communion during St. Mary’s opening chapel service, you begin your school year with all the opportunities a sacred place can provide. If you are to gain from those opportunities that are waiting for you here, you have to come to chapel—respectful, reverent, and willing to be open to the experience. And what an experience it can be—to sing and worship together, to hear from priests and rabbis, and to hear seniors share their senior chapel talks and learn more about them. Chapel can be a time of quiet reflection and meditation during a hectic school day. Chapel can be a time of joy and laughter.
At St. Mary’s, we have chapel everyday for good reason. We have chapel everyday because we value faith and reason for all, whatever our individual faith might be. Chapel is a time for personal reflection and for shared moments when we can celebrate our differences and learn from them. Our chapel calls for reflection, reverence, and respect. This chapel reflects the St. Mary’s community. In fact, it is the St. Mary’s community.
This morning, you are sitting in a sacred place. As you sit in the Church of the Holy Communion during St. Mary’s opening chapel service, you begin your school year with all the opportunities a sacred place can provide. If you are to gain from those opportunities that are waiting for you here, you have to come to chapel—respectful, reverent, and willing to be open to the experience. And what an experience it can be—to sing and worship together, to hear from priests and rabbis, and to hear seniors share their senior chapel talks and learn more about them. Chapel can be a time of quiet reflection and meditation during a hectic school day. Chapel can be a time of joy and laughter.
At St. Mary’s, we have chapel everyday for good reason. We have chapel everyday because we value faith and reason for all, whatever our individual faith might be. Chapel is a time for personal reflection and for shared moments when we can celebrate our differences and learn from them. Our chapel calls for reflection, reverence, and respect. This chapel reflects the St. Mary’s community. In fact, it is the St. Mary’s community.
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