Week 2, Term 2

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

Last week we considered the idea of involving our children in discussions about God and the Bible, in prayer and praise, and in our own spiritual journeys.

A related idea that I think has been helpful for our family is that:

God has called us as a family, not just as individuals, to be a blessing in this world.

I have observed over time some competing ideas to this. Let’s take a look at some of them:

1. My own decisions about career or house or holiday plans is the most important thing. My children will come along with what I am doing.I have found that it is helpful to include them in praying about family-related decisions. This gives them an understanding of how adults make decisions with God, and a sense of responsibility that they can also hear from God and have a contribution. Parents are ultimately responsible, but we can share in the process. I distinctly recall a time that we were on holiday and everything seemed to be going wrong. We realised that we hadn’t prayed about this, so stopped and did so with the kids, asking them to share what they thought God wanted of each of them. It was wonderful to share and find that the entire family - five kids and two adults, all felt the same things about our next plans.

2. My own ‘ministry’ in the church, or participation in God’s kingdom is more important than my children’s.  This often causes resentment for children as they wait for hours for their parents to finish praying for people up the front, or lose their parents to endless meetings or service opportunities within the church. Where appropriate, look for ways that your children can be a part of the prayer or the serving of others.

3. School is a place my children go to learn academically and physically and socially. While this is true, school is a place in which your children can be encouraged to make the world a better place, a place in which they contribute to God’s kingdom in their own unique way. Asking your children things like the questions below can help to make the school experience a rich time of personal and spiritual growth:

• “School isn’t just a place you get, but it’s a place you give. Every person at school contributes to making it a certain kind of place. How can you help the school be a place where God is welcome and people feel welcomed too?”
• “What do you think you can do today to make the school a better place?”
• “Everyone can be a leader. How can you be a leader at school, to help people care for each other and learn together well?”
• “What do you think God is teaching you at the moment?”
• “We believe God wants you to go to this school at the moment. Have you got any ideas of why that might be?”

Having ongoing brief discussions integrated with your day shows what is important to you.

Deuteronomy 6:6 alluded to understanding this when it was written:

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Have a great week.

Helen Pearson

Assembly

This Friday we are having assembly at 9.10am.  Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Wanted:

Thank you so much to those parents who have offered their help around the school.   We are however still in some need for  parent help in the following areas:

Vanessa would love to have a roster of people to come and listen to the children read on daily basis.  Please let Vanessa know on vanessaho@mahu.school.nz if you are able to help.

We are still looking for parent help to finish the data entry for the school library.  Please contact the school office if you are able to help.

Hockey
Registration forms for Hockey have already gone home and are now due back.  The hockey fee for the season is $80 and is due now.   

The Year 5 and 6 students will be playing with Snells Beach School.  Their practices are after school on Wednesdays at Snells Beach School.  The Year 2-4 students will be playing for MCS and will be having their practices at MCS after school on Wednesdays. Students are required to have their own stick, shin pads and mouth guards for practices and games.

If you have any queries please contact  Nicolette on 021 307 387. 

Prayer for our school

If you are interested in praying for our school, you are welcome to come along to a prayer meeting being held each Tuesday morning, during term time.  The meeting is from 8.50am - 9.20am in the crèche room, in the chapel.   Any queries please contact Louisa Kimber through the school office.