Have you ever heard the phrase "Jesus ate his way through the gospels"? I read that one years ago and it comes to mind again this summer as we begin to live into our new theme for 2018-2019, "Prepare A Table". I've enjoyed reading my way through the gospels this summer table hopping, if you will, alongside our Lord. So much of Jesus' ministry took place around a table. I invite you to pull up a chair (or drape yourself on the floor as the case was apparently...little odd but nobody's looking) and join me at the table for a moment or two.
All four gospels recount the intimacy of last supper as the 12 disciples broke bread with Christ and shared a communion meal one final time. Also shared in the four gospels is the grandiose effort involved in the feeding of the 5,000! What a fun, festive, chaotic event that must have been on a hillside in Israel. Jesus also shared a meal with Levi the tax collector and his shadowy buddies (more on the company He kept at many tables another time). There's the tension-filled meals with the Pharisees found in Luke 11: 37-54 and again in Luke 14: 1-24. Remember who we teach our children to sing about and the last verse "for I'm going to your house today"? You know who I'm talking about. Jesus invited Zacchaeus to break bread with him! How humbling yet affirming for little Zacchaeus and what a lesson for the onlookers whose table was passed by. One of my favorites dinner accounts is the meal after Jesus' resurrection on Emmaus Road. His presence was not made known to his followers until they had the opportunity to share a meal at the table. Together.
Jesus is often found feasting and even celebrating at these meals. Remember the very first miracle was at a multi-day party? Festivities such as these were not a new scene in Scripture. In the Old Testament, Israel's yearly calendar is peppered with festivals and feasts. Sharing a meal together at a table was a joyous, bonding occurrence. It strikes me that perhaps some of this rich community building and learning of the early Church and early Christians are a bit lost on us today. Common practices have changed a bit in the last 2000 years. Our yards are separated from one another by quality fencing. Each member in a family tends to have their own bedroom "zone" complete with the amenities that keep one another pacified separately in the bedroom with a TV, computer, phone, etc. The risk is that of course this leads us away from the table of community and a bit into isolationism. I believe there is a cost to this individualism and perhaps we might even say it pulls us away from the Church as Jesus had intended. To be the body of Christ we must be bonded together, don't we? Read Revelation 19 and we read that the second coming of Christ is described as 'the wedding supper of the lamb.' Again, we see Jesus moving his people to meet him at a table. To commune together with Him and with each other.
If you put yourself beside me at a table invited by Jesus, I think together we can learn from these meals. Can we bring that joy, intimacy and trust demonstrated in the Bible to our workspace, classroom, staff center, woods? I think we can emulate this theme of festivity that shaped the Church's mission! As you are busy prepping with list making, room prepping, researching new best practices and dreaming, you are, in a sense, setting a table. It won't be long now and a new group of growing, curious servants of Christ will make their way to the table you have prepared. They must be taught and equipped to walk the life God calls them to. To heed His bidding and direction in their lives. In order to accomplish this, they must sit at the table you prepare for them and find love, trust, respect, enjoyment, creativity, acceptance and truly Christ's presence in the experiences you provide.
I've seen you do this so well over the years, but this year we have a new context to frame this work we do. You are preparing a table for each child to belong. For each child to learn. For each child to commune with God through relationships with one another! I'm eager to keep growing into these thoughts with you. I'm eager to eat our way through the 2018-2019 school year with you! Blessings to each of you as you begin to once again Prepare A Table.
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| Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen's Marriage at Cana. Who invited the guy sticking his finger in the chicken to the party?!? Seriously! Just goes to show there's one in every bunch I suppose. |
Febe Gomez
Some exciting news! Febe Gomez has accepted the offer to teach FLES at both Pine Ridge and South Side next year! We have loved her here at South Side as Raphie Gomez's mom. This year we are welcoming her as our new FLES teacher! What a joy to partner with Febe as she enriches and teaches the children in our community! Welcome, Febe!
Parent Night for Preschool
Our preschool parents will come to meet YOU, their child's teacher, on Tuesday, August 14 from 6:00-7:00. Parents will be invited to meet with you in your classrooms similar to the event as it was held last year. I will roam, meet and greet, answer questions, point the lost in the right direction while you razzle dazzle parents with the broad strokes of what's in store for their child this year! Feel free to dismiss your parents when the information is competed. No need to take up the entire hour if you've covered all of your information.
Ice Cream Social for Preschool-2nd
Our Ice Cream Social will be held on Thursday, August 16 from 6:30-8:00. Please meet at the flagpole at 6:30 to launch this special bond and relationship in prayer! Let's hope for wonderful weather to welcome our new little ones into their home-away-from-home for the school year!
PD Week Events...cue "Let the Good Times Roll" by the Cars
- Monday, August 13 9:00-11:00--Our first staff meeting at South Side in the staff center. Please bring your summer stories, an appetite (breakfast will be served) and your computer. PK staff please meet in your respective buildings for this staff meeting.
- Tuesday, August 14 9:00-when the work is done which will be sometime before lunch. Elementary teachers please meet in the media center with computers in hand. PK staff dismissed by 10:30.
- Wednesday, August 15 BREAKFAST is served at 8:30 then 9:00-2:30 please meet on Main Street. We will meet our newest team members at HC, explore our theme for the school year, work together on a shared project and more! (how am I doing selling it?!?) PK staff all day, please.
- Friday, August 17 BREAKFAST is served at 8:30 then at 9:00-sometime before lunch we will meet in the auditorium in the high school. PK staff for the morning as well, please.
Homework
When you have time, would you please help me Prepare the Table for you by completing this form sometime before August 8? Thank you!
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