October 7, 2013 - Connecting Vision to our Learning - Shalom Seeking

Connecting Vision to our Learning

 

Our vision statement at Providence is a short statement with a broad scope and a tall order.  Our vision is to see God’s children transforming His world.   Let’s take a closer look at how that may play out at the school.  We desire for our students, as God’s children, to be actively engaged and contributing to works of shalom.  We want to see this happening in the world and that includes our small corner of God’s big kingdom.   Looking at it closely we could say that, for the here and now, we want to see our students leading and contributing at our school and in the community to God’s glory and honour.  The service work they do enables them to be agents of reconciliation, peace and wholeness.  Nicholas Wolterstorff in his book “Until Justice and Peace Embrace” promotes this vision of shalom which he defines as peace and flourishing. 

 

Last Thursday, our students had the opportunity to have their learning shaped, formed and impacted by our relationship with Special Olympics Ontario.  In the next few weeks I will write about some of the biblical throughlines and principles that guided our students’ learning in relation to the event.  Each of the themes discussed will be framed by the overarching notion and biblical principle of shalom.  Wolterstorff continues to give clarity to this by expressing that shalom incorporates right, harmonious relationships to God and delight in his service.  Secondly it incorporates right harmonious relationships to other human beings and delight in human community.  Thirdly, it incorporates right, harmonious relationships to nature and delight in our surroundings.  In Micah 6:8 God invites us to engage in works of shalom where we act justly, love mercy and kindness and walk humbly with him. 

 

Partnering with Special Olympics Ontario gave our students an opportunity to engage in works of shalom.  Shalom seeking, as a theme, incorporates our students as agents of change by identifying and responding to situations where we can bring flourishing and wholeness.  On Thursday our students did not just hear of an opportunity to seek shalom.  They did not just see an opportunity to be the agents of love, mercy and kindness. Our students actively partnered with God in doing His work in this world.  It was quite a responsibility and a privilege!  We ask for you to continue to pray for the staff and students as we nurture and disciple your children to take on this ongoing responsibility.  We also ask you to rejoice with us in the glimpses of the kingdom we see when God allows us to partner with him to bring about flourishing moments in His kingdom.