Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - December 1st

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8th Grade students are getting a pizza and ice cream party on me. 100% of their families have contributed to the Fund for Westfield. They helped make our Giving Tuesday successful. Kindergarten families had the next highest level of participation with 70% of families contributing to the Fund. I will be bringing the Kindergarten student’s popsicles.

This month in Meeting for Worship we will spend two Wednesdays considering queries coming out of the Christian season of Advent. Our last Wednesday worship before vacation will anticipate Hanukkah. Yesterday, I explained to children what the season of Advent is about and why Christians like me take time to anticipate, wait, and prepare for the coming of God in the person of Jesus¹. The short reading was a combination of Isaiah 2:1-5 and a story from Ramallah Friends Meeting in Palestine about a member being surprised by unexpected kindness. Both readings framed the query for Meeting “When have you been surprised by God, Yahweh, Allah, the universe?”

I know that several teachers have been reaching out to families to share their own favorite traditions across the year. I hope you will give thought and want to share how your family celebrates, takes time together, creates memories, and makes meaning of your lives in different seasons.

This Monday, we will have a “Quaker Friday.” Teacher Christina and Teacher Kristin have arranged for a speaker to come and speak with the students in Kindergarten through 8th-grade about the work and mission of Cathedral Kitchen. Younger students will make placemats for the Kitchen’s dinner guests while older students will make sandwiches for the Kitchen’s brown bag lunch program.

Announcements:

Poinsettia pick up the week of the 5th, look for an email soon
Parents and Guardians Council Meeting at 7:00 on Zoom, December 1
Preschool & Family Music Class! On Friday, December 9th play, sing, and dance with your preschooler and learn about the music program! Two adults per child
- Ms. Luz & Teacher Michael's Class: 9:00am in the gym.
- Teacher Christina's Class: 11:00am in the music room.
Prek-8th grades "Come Darkness, Come Light: A Celebration in Music and Seasonal Readings" Friday, December 16th at 10:00am. Two adults per child are invited to attend in person. The program will also live stream via ZOOM.
Winter vacation begins at 3:00pm on December 16th.

Warmly,

Margaret

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¹I also shared with students that when they first came to the colonies, groups like the Pilgrims (Separatists), Puritans (later Congregationalists and Baptists), Presbyterians, Brethren, Mennonites, Quakers did not celebrate Christmas. For them all days were holy, calling out a particular day was seen as papish or pagan. Many of these groups (including Quakers) continued this practice into the 19th and even 20th centuries.