Dear Families and Friends,

Graduations and many of the goodbyes are behind us. Summer lies before us. Open, it seems. Congratulations to all students, graduating, yes, but also all who are advancing from one grade to the next. The resilience that has been built up in you over these last sixteen months will last a lifetime. You have not been broken down; you have been made stronger.

A horse would not consider a spur the same way we would. For the horse, a spur causes a painful sensation in the sides, and it is connected with the urgency of the human to go faster. It does not always make sense, because the horse that loves its owner is already highly motivated to go. A good owner, like a friend never uses the spur to inflict pain. He uses it to remind the horse what bad horses require to get them going.

Kids, you are standing at the edge of another beautiful summer. Will you be gently nudging your siblings and friends to be better followers of Jesus this summer? Will your behaviour make your parents see Jesus in you and make them love Him more? The Day is approaching. Jesus is coming back. What do you want to be doing when He comes back? If you have time, would you want to have to quickly shut off what you are watching, quickly be nice or obedient? “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Mrs. Sommer and I wish you all a safe and happy summer. We do not know if our Best Friend will come back or not soon. We will miss you all dreadfully; you have been dear friends to us. We have been blessed by you, and we will not forget you. We ask ourselves, “Did we make any of them love Jesus more? Want to follow Him?” We hope so. You did. Don’t forget us. You can join our mailing list here if you are interested. We would love it if you could come and visit us. We would love it even more if we heard that God was transforming you by His Word and using you in the lives of others.

This week, finally Week 40, we especially appreciate our dedicated Learning Support team that ensures that every student has the needed support! Mrs. Vanska and Mr. Yu have been such a blessing to so many, especially over the remote months. Thank you to them! We have heard our students have made great strides through their help.

Leadership development is also such a valuable thing for young people. They learn to serve; they learn to think of others; they learn to work as a team, etc. I am blessed to have seen how our Student Parliament leadership team worked well together this past year, as difficult as it was. Mason as Prime Minister, Aiden as Deputy Prime Minister, Lily as Minister of Finance, and Neema as Communications Minister– former “rivals” in the election, functioned in supportive unity. For the coming year, kids, talk about this with your family: do you have gifts that you could use to bless the student body at ACCS? Would you like to serve on the Student Parliament in the coming year? You will have a chance to run in these offices if you are in Grades 6 and up.

Something to consider: 1 Timothy 2:1-2  “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” He does not say what we are to pray for them to bring about peaceful and quiet lives, but he does urge us to pray. Let’s.

Do you realize that one of the special things about ACCS is how everyone works together? Would you consider Volunteer Activities to help out? This week, starting TUESDAY at 5PM, we will be moving the lockers out of the west wing and preparing the floor for new flooring! Would you like to help, even a little? Send us an email or call if you think you can help–even if it would be now and then.

Prayer Corner: Do you appreciate it when other Christians pray for our country? This week, let’s pray for  Canada.

God of all mercies, we want to see Jesus in our lives, in our community, in our ACCS. Open our eyes to see how we could stir up one another to good works and to a greater passion for You. Would it be possible to reach out and touch You in others, and say that we love You in how we love others? Transform us, Lord. Thank You for the year now passed. You know it has been hard for us. You know we have felt crushed and defeated at times; but still we can say that You sustained us. You brought us through, and we thank You for that. As we part for the summer, and as changes come, we commit one another into Your almighty hands. There is none like You, Lord Jesus. No one loves us like You do. No one is patient and kind like You are. Protect us in the months ahead. Let the things that we have learned, especially from Your Word, continue to percolate through our lives to make us beautiful for You. Oh, and do come quickly, Jesus. We do love it here, but we know that what is lovely here is only a glint of what it will be to be with You. Will You keep us faithful to You? Will You still add some more to Your flock? Thank You for the eleven students who have graduated; be their hiding place forever. Bless our teachers; renew them. Let the new ones soon feel welcome with us, and use them all to do powerful things for You. In Jesus’ Name.