Miss Dawn's Blog

New Blog

2009-06-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

My faithful blog readers, I no longer post to this blog. Please visit me instead at http://dawngrinnell.blogspot.com. See you there!
Miss Dawn

The End

2009-06-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

"once there was a way to get back homeward...once there was a way to get back home.. sleep pretty darling do not cry, and I will sing a lullaby."

Reportedly, Paul McCartney wrote this after sitting down to a piano in his father's house, shortly after his mother's death. Paul couldn't read music, (hard to believe), and noticed this piece of musical score on the piano. It was written by his stepsister Ruth. He then needed to lullaby himself in the absence of his mother, kept the words, but changed the melody to something more suitable to him.. That's genius in itself. It was also telling of far more.. his grief of the knowledge that the Fab4 would soon be ending their time together creating magical music and memories . As he states, "once there was a way to get back homeward.." Paul, I believe, is insightful enough of a lyricist to see what was happening to this great thing known as, "The Beatles."

The Beatles, probably one of the most legendary bands of our day..and frankly, I believe days to come. Their 5-6 year "Magical Mystery Tour" was wrapping up and they had been down the long and winding road one too many times. Its very hard to produce and maintain that stamina and momentum when you have 4 very talented lads, brothers, now reaching out into new directions musically. Each had been touched through their brief years of fame. Each had been one..one group collectively... John and Paul being the lead singers, writers, composers, and true funny men of the grouping. George and Ringo, more under shadowed, none the less equally important and certainly a contributing factor to their success as a whole. However,as George, (the most gentle and introverted), was piquing, and Ringo was showing his truer colors in more solo singing and drum pieces, John and Paul were worn down and certainly tired of co-creating all the time...collectively. The Beatles were all secretly crying our for "HELP!" As brothers do, they goofed, laughed, cried, partyed, prayed, traveled, and yes sometimes bickered... but produced countless classic pieces of rock-n-roll music that will forever mystify the world. How genius. How brilliant. How clairvoyant their lyrics and ageless melodies and harmonies. They were the ones! The bad asses. They were what was being "foretold" if you will. Yes, Elvis, and Chuck Berry were the earlier prophets.. much like Moses and Elijah before the coming of Christ.. but musically, The Beatles were the Messiah of Rock-n-Roll!

It's got to be hard having all that creative talent amalgamated in recording studios, writing rooms, flats all over the world, Buddhists gardens, airplanes, etc. Its hard when your goal is to produce a song, an album, and "out-do" what is already perfect. What has already been done. But they had fans who deeply loved them and wanted for their sticking together. They wanted their genius. It made them feel good! Yes, The Beatles were a feel-good band to start. Happy music to get you dancing 8 days a week! It was the early1960's and the real troubles of that era were just coming to light. The days were light and whimsical in the beginning. They were enjoying their top of the world status. Must be surreal. The boys, however, were experimenting with their own styles of musical insight.. (and experimenting with other things too ;) and John and George were now new members of the enlightenment age of the 1960's. Influencing the Beatles were Indian musical instruments, bright colors, and humanistic-fantasy stories such as the tales of Uncle Albert and Yellow Submarines. Black straight suit and ties were forfeited for the Sgt. Peppers brilliant Technicolor uniforms..and the hair continued to move into sideburns and long shaggy bang sections. A rebelling band for sure. Yet fun! The Beatles were confident enough now for silly creative ca rteblanche! They weren't afraid, they were the Beatles.

Confidence and growth make strange bedfellows. Its a relationship I've always struggled with. The Beatles couldn't have been any brighter, (literally and figuratively), in those days. For sure they knew that mistakes, musically, would happen less frequently. Confidence is a result from a job well-done. The hard work paying off. Some folks admire in others, and some loathe it , or misconstrue it as ego-inflated, or narcissistic tendencies. The Beatles were struggling with this as a group and as individuals. The Beatles were becoming more unique and individualized singularly. They were becoming long-haired musicians, ( a nickname for musical giants such as Bach and Beethoven)..and they were both literally and figuratively. They were all itching down the road less traveled .. not only collectively but individually. Growth we call it. And quite often growth happens during moments when our confidence in our abilities allow us try all those groovy things! Why not? Growth is good, but it is also challenging collectively.. it hard to resonate as a whole.. what everyone wants from you when the rules change. Those rules can either make or break the creative force of the whole, or straighten it. Perhaps, at times the road is only supposed to be traveled for a brief time collectively in order to make room for the "solo careers?" Perhaps some want to change, and others do not. Perhaps... Perhaps people simply grow apart, take the other direction in the fork, or accept that Source/God/Universe is opening up new doors for the talent to surge in other ways.

The End, (in video and musically), reminds us of those bittersweet times when something so perfect can't be re-done. When the other paths are beckoning our footsteps. When anyone of the following scenarios/shifts in feelings, doubts, confidences, jealousies, religious experiences all listed above can no longer sustain a group. (Not mentioning anything about mixing in real-life.. marriages, divorces, children, lovers, substance abuse or the switching of managers and the like, that The Beatles actually encountered during those magical years). Because the magic is only magical for brief times in life and the reality is, all you need is love.... and a little help from our friends. That's all that is required for those uncertain days ahead. If you say goodbye, then I'll say hello.. don't know why you say goodbye.. I say hello!
....and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make!

The End, Miss Dawn

When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window!

2009-05-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow we celebrate the last major feast in the Church year before approaching Advent... the Feast of Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit, the Church's Birthday, perhaps the Baptism of the Church itself!
Baptism by fire.. This week's lessons regarding the coming of the HS are indeed "on fire!"
Truly, I mean this.

Here's what I know. We have all heard the expression, "When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window!" Never in my life have I heard this expression more so than in this last week.. and yes it is truthful.. some say it genuinely..and others offer it as a way to help ease the blow.. but truly it has its roots in our Pentecostal message.. the Disciples and Mary were locked away in a room with the door closed.. Jesus had gone to join the Father in Heaven. He left them with the promise of waiting for the strength, the power, the courage, the surge of HS that they needed to move on and go out and do God's work. .."suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.."

The window opened and in blew the HS! I realised this week, that indeed, is what has happened to me.

The rest of the Acts story goes on to say, "Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim."

I told the children this week that everyone in the room began to speak in a language they had never learned to speak before..so that everyone was now able able to hear God's word.. pretty darn hard to tell and share Jesus' message if you only spoke with one voice isn't it?? How would they feed the many if only one voice proclaimed the Good News?!

The children asked me, "Well Miss Dawn, do you mean they spoke French and Italian..Spanish and Japanese?" I said, "Kind of.. but they were speaking in ancient forms of these languages.. forms that were present in Jesus' time..but the purpose in speaking in tongues was to make the world feel welcomed and aware of God's Love.. the one language that ALL people understand. The Language of Love is a universal law.

The Disciples were baptised by fire that day! The first Pentecost and Pentecost Sunday 2009 do not speak a different story..in fact, the message to go out, speak out, be courageous and strong, love one another as I have loved you, is all there for us today. When the window opens and the wind rushes in..the sky clangs, and,a fire that is never burning, but only warming, rests upon us we are being blown into the direction of proclaiming a new way to love and live with God's blessings!

Each day I try to teach my students that we are all different. Intentionally! God has work for us all based on those differences. That is why I have always subscribed to a teaching staff that is made up of differences. Differences in our talents, perspectives and styles. I promote the student to accept his differences and learn from ours! That is the basis of my curriculum. That just spills over into a greater understanding of how many people we need to raise up speaking in tongues!

The noise has ceased, the window is open and the wind has blown in... it invites the springcleaning we all search for but quite often are too afraid to deal with, once we begin the process of emptying our drawers and giving things away to Good Will!

"... I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are coming."

Last week, on Ascension Thursday I brought the children outdoors and released a white balloon. I wanted to explain how the Disciples felt as they watched Jesus be carried away to Heaven.. a balloon is a perfect visual example of how to teach that lesson. When any balloon gets away from us.. we watch fondly and sadly its direction as it ultimately disappears into the atmosphere. Immediately we want to replace the old balloon. The Disciples very much felt this way when Jesus left them. They wanted him back.. they were afraid to move without him. But Jesus promised that a new way was coming very quickly... a birth of new way of living and finding a home for all of God's people.

The Birthdays of our own lives begin when we clean out the old and make ready for the new. Accepting and welcoming the differences of those around us will be the very air that gives shapes to our new birthday balloon!

Happy Birthday! Joyeux Anniversaire!Buon Compleanno! Xronia Polla! San ruit kua lok!
Yom Huledet Same"ach! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu!

Miss Dawn

A Letter from EDS Parents

2009-05-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

Please read the beautiful letter penned by Samantha Hines to the leadership at Emmanuel. There were many, many signatures that followed her name.. without having their permission I opted to forgo their names to respect their privacy.

Thank you so very much Samantha and EDS parents!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!

Dawn

A Letter from EDS Parents to the Leaders of Emmanuel Church

2009-05-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Ms. Shoemaker:

To say that your two recent communications—both your email announcement and follow-up letter—are disconcerting is an understatement to be sure. As parents of current and possibly future Emmanuel Day School students, we would like to make you aware of the repercussions of your announcement—in terms of both content and delivery.

The first concern has to do with what should have been your honest, precise, and continual communication with parents. You write in your letter, “. . . [P]ersistent efforts on our part have been made during the past year to effect change in the climate of the relationship between the director of the school and the leadership of the parish . . .” Though your use of the phrase “during the past year” does not indicate whether your efforts have been the work of 365 days or something considerably less, it is curious that at no time during your effort to “effect change” did you contact the parents of current students for their feedback, opinions, or thoughts. Whether it was an egregious oversight or deliberate decision to disregard parental perspective is a question that only you and your School Committee can answer; but it is worth noting that had you done so, you may have been aided in your work as the wisdom of others—especially those most immediately and greatly affected—is inarguably invaluable.

The timing of your communications is also an issue that must be addressed. As the end of May approaches, slots in local daycares and preschools are filled—or rapidly filling. Available funds for financial aid in private schools have been depleted. And frustrated parents find themselves with limited—or no—options for their children for September. The words you choose—that “there should be time to make all of the necessary preparations for the school to open in the fall as usual” give little comfort. “Should” does not inspire confidence--quite the contrary. Parents needed to know months ago that there were issues between Ms. Dawn Grinnell and you and the Vestry, which would have afforded them the opportunity to make the necessary arrangements for their children. As the leader of the parish—interim or otherwise—you should have kept the needs of the students and their parents at the forefront of your decision-making. Why you did not is most assuredly a concern.

Emmanuel Day School has been and is a magical place to be and for young children to learn; and this is due in no small part to the efforts of Ms. Dawn Grinnell. You allude to her “excellence,” “creativity,” and “credentials.” And each is rare and copious. In fact, it is due to her excellence, creativity, and credentials that parents choose EDS for their children. So you will understand our difficulty in comprehending or accepting your and the Vestry’s decision and why we remain befuddled as to why you can “no longer continue to employ Dawn Grinnell as director of Emmanuel Day School.” The linguistic intimations and innuendo you utilize in your letter can lead only to your readers’ speculating and assuming—certainly not a desirable set of circumstances for a school—or your parish. It is actually rather surprising that you would not only allow such a communication to be disseminated but that as the leader of a parish and an astute communicator you would pen it yourself.

What winds up happening to Emmanuel Day School is largely in the hands of the parents, your customers, if you will; and it is your customers’ belief that you have not put the needs of the children, the families, or your inimitable director before those of the Vestry and yourself. You mention “a fundamental conflict that is not subject to resolution.” When people who are in a position of power, who are leaders of those institutions that are so crucial to society’s health—a church and a school—cannot find a resolution, it does not offer much hope for the rest of us. Sometimes power and leadership are best achieved and maintained by surrounding ourselves with those who challenge us, who think differently from us, who are the creative forces among us. They are not threats to authority; on the contrary, they are the people who inspire, who move the world in a novel direction—they are the people we want teaching our children.

In closing, we encourage you to honestly evaluate not just the decisions that were made but how they were made and how they were communicated. You may decide to continue running an Emmanuel Day School without Miss Dawn—or you may not. And Miss Dawn may decide to start a new school—or she may not. But in the end we would ask that you reflect deeply on how this could have been handled differently as you pick up the pieces of this great loss.

Sincerely,

Samantha Hines
(other parents’ signatures added to original document)

Greg Cole weighs in on EDS!

2009-05-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Parents and Friends,

If you are interested in how EDS was born please read Greg Cole's entry that I have posted to my blog. Indeed, it is well written and truthful..

I thank everyone who has responded to Samantha Hines letter. The parents, the teachers, my truest friends and supports, and the unique and wonderful children of EDS are what is making me smile each day!

More to come later.
Dawn

A Brief History of the Emmanuel Day School

2009-05-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

Greg Cole has written a brief history of EDS in response to what happened there last week. I thought that those of you who care about the school might be interested to read his thoughts.

_____

Given the events of last week, it seems important that I describe the provenance of the Emmanuel Day School. What follows is my account of how it began and evolved.

In 2004, I asked Dawn to run a Vacation Bible School week at Emmanuel Church. That very successful week led the vestry and me to invite Dawn to become part of the Emmanuel Church staff, serving as the Director of Children’s Ministries. Dawn began to build our offerings to children, focusing on the Sunday morning program as well as many special events. In 2005, Dawn approached me, saying that she was searching for space to start a school, that she had already written the curriculum, and inquired about renting space at Emmanuel. After much discussion, the vestry, Dawn and I agreed that rather than rent space to Dawn, we would form a partnership, whereby the school would exist under the corporate umbrella of Emmanuel, with general supervision of the vestry, but run in a semi-autonomous fashion by Dawn.

I encouraged the vestry to agree to this arrangement for three reasons. First, I believed in Dawn’s ability. I had witnessed her work at a previous school and her work at Emmanuel. Dawn’s ability to communicate with children is the best that I have ever seen. Second, I understood that there could be wonderful synergy between the school and the church. In its long-range plan, published the same year, Emmanuel Church had identified children’s ministry as one of its primary mission initiatives. What better way to accomplish this than to have children and their parents in the building every day? Third, Dawn and I believed that the school could create a much needed revenue stream for the church.

Once the Emmanuel Church vestry agreed to Dawn’s proposal, she went to work. For months before she received any compensation, she spent countless hours honing her already written curriculum, applying for a license, coordinating the various inspections, furnishing and decorating the space, and hiring and training her teachers. She did all of this on her own. Dawn incurred several thousand dollars in expenses, for which she never received reimbursement. It is fair to say that Dawn single-handedly founded the Emmanuel Day School.

In January 2006, the school opened for business with nine students. A wonderful semester culminated in the first EDS graduation ceremony. In September 2006, EDS reopened with 44 students – what extraordinary growth! This year, EDS provides an amazing education to 54 students. From its beginnings in 2006, children and families, as well as members of Emmanuel Church, have witnessed an almost bewildering array of events, from Medieval Faires, to Christmas Pageants, to Science Fairs, and so many more. All of these events were a result of the creative genius of Dawn and her very talented staff.

Not only have the children of EDS and their families benefited from the work of Dawn and her staff, but Emmanuel Church has benefited as well. The synergy that I anticipated when we began did materialize, with many EDS families choosing to worship at the church. It was only natural that parents would send their children to a children’s ministry the director of which they already knew and loved. The program quickly flourished. Dawn began a children’s chapel during the first half of the Sunday morning Eucharist. This program averaged 25 children, many of whom came to Emmanuel Church through EDS. Good Friday Camp and Vacation Bible School were always at capacity.

Regarding the third goal, to create a revenue stream, I can only speak to the first two years for which I have detailed financial records. According to the Treasurer’s reports published in Emmanuel Church’s annual reports and submitted to the Diocese, the following are the financial facts for 2006 and 2007. In 2006, Emmanuel Church lent EDS $9,000 as seed money that was used to fix the ceiling in the auditorium and to build counters in the science room. In its first year, EDS generated enough revenue to pay back the seed money and to contribute $10,000 to the church to offset expenses such as utilities (listed as rent in the budget). How extraordinary that a brand new business could repay its seed money in its first year! In 2007, EDS paid $12,000 in “rent” and contributed a surplus of $22,778 to the budget of Emmanuel Church – an extraordinary amount of money in our resource scarce parish.

Emmanuel Day School has provided an unprecedented educational and developmental experience for many children during its three and a half years of existence. It has enriched the worship life of Emmanuel Church. In addition, it has generated a revenue stream that allows Emmanuel to continue to offer its ministry to the people of Newport. By any standard, it has been an amazing success.

The vestry, under the leadership of Ms. Shoemaker and Ms. Ritchie, has chosen to make a fundamental change. I respect their right to do so. However, let it be clear to everyone that Dawn, Allison, Christine, Jocelyn, Terri, and Trish are the heart and soul of EDS. It is their creativity, passion, and love for each other and the children that they serve that make EDS the magical place it has been since its inception. Dawn brought her already written curriculum to EDS. Dawn alone secured the license and made sure that the school passed all inspections. Dawn did everything that the vestry and I asked her to do. She and her staff have created a very successful school. For the leadership of Emmanuel Church to think that they can now take the school is dishonest and morally suspect. They can begin a new school with a new curriculum, but they cannot continue to operate Dawn’s school.

I would be happy to speak with any of you who would like more information. My email address is gregcole@post.harvard.edu. Thank you.

2009-05-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

This week, (and weeks past), has provided more script than i can possibly publish on this new blogsite. I used a title, "Miss Dawn's Blog", so simplistic, as to find a way to easily communicate my feelings to you all and, for you all ,to communicate your thoughts/feelings/concerns and hopes to me! Please feel free to use this blog site anytime during this awkward, but hopeful process of transition as a vehicle to stay connected. I will also be posting my spirtual rantings again as well!

I have heard from so, so many of you this week! My voicemail system has been jammed for days.. emails galore and Facebook wall entries read daily. The love, the support, the tears, the anger, the confusion, and the betrayal you have felt from the stunning news of my termination as Director of EDS. I have certainly understood your concerns and fears...in fact, though, it was not stunning to me. This has been work in progress. I am hoping that through this medium we all can communicate freely and to be abreast as to what is going to happen in the future... because the future is what and where I am focusing my attention on.

One, among many of you, approached me this week.. not only for answers, but for me to say hopefully that I would not be giving up..( and..I am not).. but addressed something I hadn't thought about in sometime, and that was, "What happened to your blogs Miss Dawn? ... they got me through Christmastime!" aah. my blogs. I hadn't thought in sometime about them. It was encouraged by several parishioners for me to have one. For me to share information about "daily goings on", with our student population, teaching staff, formation, and my ability to communicate life in dealing with the young and gifted as it related to God... the Holy Spirit. Boy.. how I miss it! Today I went to find my old blog account. It was still active and listed, "Bright New Shiny Star," indeed, as its last entry. Not long after that last blog entry, I was informed, (among many other things), that my First Amendment Right was being infringed upon. I was told, "You WILL remove that blog site from your website!" So.. I did. I did it as a way to once again smooth things over... try to further my relationship with the current administration.. protect the school from any discomfort.. it is how abuse works. Someone threatens you with something of value and you respond in a way that is not healthy.

I am here to ask you all for your help. Your help, in helping me, and the staff of EDS, to continue the dream we have had for years to succeed in a new venue! I love EC. I always have. So does the staff. Unfortunately, we have experienced many changes in this last year that have been out of our control. The loss of our church staff, and most especially my best friend Greg Cole, the former Rector, was the beginning of this process. The church has undergone many changes that did not exist when EDS was formulated. It has been a difficult road of understanding and hard work that both the church and I underwent in this past year to come to an understanding of fairness. My fairness, and commitment to this process was to always put your family, the child, the staff and the mission of the school in to the #1 position. Defending such a worthy cause may be admirable, but not always looked upon with favour from those trying to change the system.

I am a person who believes in the Holy Spirit and what it has in store for all of us. Truly. What EDS.. all of us.. do for each soul there.. is not describable. Just look at the photos from Christmas and Graduations.. never mind our daily work. (or Thanksgiving and Medieval Nights).. the list goes on!!!! I am in love.. yes.. with EDS ! It's families, it's children, it's energy and personality! I love the girls as my own sisters.. and I have always expressed that publicly when I got the opportunity! This venture is contingent upon each and every one of us. The chemistry of this team will be "MY" Science Faire Project for this year! I want to do EXACTLY what it is we do somewhere else if EC won't handle us anymore. (or me..rather). I have never worked so hard, laughed so hard, loved so hard, and felt so hard as I have in these 4-5 years!

Please help me find a place! I am in contact and working with the Fire Chief and Marshal as we speak to locate our new location. If you are brainstorming please fwd the response to me so I can have them look in to the suitability of that environment for all of us.

I have told some of the parents I would be willing to meet in "Town Hall style" with any and all of you about any questions and concerns you may have. If any teachers would like to come that would be ideal! We can do it at O'Brien's if you like some week night soon.. I'm sure Kerrie will accommodate us somewhere for an hour or so!

Friday evening is Medieval Night. Please come and have fun!!! I have spoken with Aliki and we both feel that the silent auction is not appropriate or tickets for that matter. That night has never been about that.. it has always been about the fun and frivolity of a Spring Medieval celebration after a month of study! I hope to see you all and have a blast with Ty and Amy, our actors.. and a truly end to a nice month. The Science Faire and Art Show.. and Graduation! I promise you I have not, in the least, lost my enthusiasm for these great events! You will not be let down! I promise.

My private email is MissDawnG@aol.com and I welcome and encourage any and all questions, help, and prayers.

Sincerely,
Dawn

Bright New Shiny Star

2008-12-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas and New Year, EDS friends...

I realize I have missed blogging for the last two weeks of Advent. Much like Santa's Workshop, life seems to get just as crazy here at EDS. I can report however that my "ROSE" week was full of joy, parties, and anticipation of the Christmas holiday.. my last "Periwinkle" week was coupled with a church pageant rehearsal, a near-carol sing (that i still needed to prepare for), and ultimately the rescheduled EDS Yuletide Eve.. which is NEVER a disappointment, or the rare few. Then Christmas Eve was upon me. My apologies in not writing sooner.

In hearing from many of EDS' parents and families since the production, one particular commentary stood out among the many. It actually brought me to tears. And really it made me tearful, (joyfully), exactly at a moment when I truly needed it. One of our mothers shared her personal family blog with me. In this blog were various comments as to his performance. It was very cute and very funny! She went on to state that her child had found a home at EDS because he wasn't just "tolerated" for his differences... he was actually encouraged! She spoke of one or two other students whom clearly lent their own "spin" to their roles during the performance.

I swelled with emotion after reading her words. It was about 7:30am post-show. (I am always tired and emotional the following morning). I was sipping my coffee and going through my emails, (as I do early on in the AM), and then read this perfect description of EDS.. but really what I feel is my gift. My gift that has been shone through me from God. How the Holy Spirit works through me. You see I am no stranger to the unique personality. Folks.. to be honest that is more than half the reason and foundation that this school is the way it is. I have plenty tell me this over the years... that very thought. I have parents who have referred to my standards and "me" as "the Eiffel Tower".. I have one family who clearly said.. "Miss Dawn, build it and they will come."

This article is not a tribute to me. Hardly. It is leading me to my topic of discussion which is about our "Star". It is about all of us shining on, and though, in what we were meant to do and be through Christ and following that Star.

Perhaps, an Epiphany, can occur several times in ones' life. (truly God's redeeming grace for us). But really, this particular Epiphany gets bigger and brighter for me. Our lives . I think, are following our paths that are set before us by God. They are clear and spelled out. Do things get in our way?? Yes. But mostly those things are US! We are meant to do great and powerful things in this world. WE are meant to SHINE in the way that is intended for us. Much like these children are given that chance to do here at EDS. I have always subscribed to a wide-bodied, well-rounded curriculum. Always. How else could I tell a parent what avenues to travel down in helping their child discover their talents? That is the purpose of my school. It is here to seek the star in all of us. We then foster it, and nourish and nurture, the growth to allow this very unique individual develop their natural abilities to pursue whatever it is that is intended for them by God. That simple. The Holy Spirit does the rest. Yes,, we need to work ourselves.. but once we know where we shine we can move.

I have two male persons in my life who talk about "shining" a lot. Ironically, both are huge Pink Floyd fans, Yankees fans, and theology addicts. One has coined the phrase, (as his sign-off),
"shine on"... (lyrics from Floyd). He is right and good to tell people to do this. He is asking them to let it rip.. be your authentically true self when entering the public sphere.. go be what God intended you to do and be. The other man in my life goes deeper. He says, "I know you will shine.. you always do." This person not only knows I will deliver what God has intended, he also is encouraging me to be me. He usually signs off with something like, "You know I believe in you." How powerful? How persuading! Perhaps, at times daunting! Yet, this is my exact message to my kiddo friends. Find your niche and stick with it. I am going to support your unique talent.. see you through. Believe in your ability... And "find the space where the oxen can air guitar" and the Magi to wear a shiny, red sequence jumpsuit, or drummer drum to every song in a production... Because it is what they are meant to do. God has helped me be part of their lives in doing so I possess the responsibility to let them follow their stars!
Isn't that my stewardship as well?

I am struggling a bit these ending days of our 2008 year. There have been several times this year that I have felt like the Magi, stuck in the desert somewhere.. with only that star to follow at night. (Remember that's was the only time they could travel.. in darkness). They knew the outcome was to find the promised one. They studied and researched Jesus' coming for years. The met and faced obstacles. They continued to follow the star that God set ablaze for them. They rode through the deserts, through wind and cold to present the gifts to the child Jesus. To set the tone for the times to come. Epiphany's were flying. Dreams were present and real. Life would never be the same again for that poor and ostracized couple.. but they continued to believe in God's promise for them. Therefore we must do the same. There was a plan. The plan is present for us all who follow our star path.

I may be faced with losing my position at EC as Christian Formation Director for the upcoming year. Simply, as it is explained to me, is that church can no longer afford me. I have had this inside of my being since before Christmas got off to its usual furvor around here. I have questioned it over and over. I have cried more than anything else..but, I have decided to follow the star in my life. The Epiphany of what is to come will be coming. But, I must wear night-vision glasses, and I must be prepared to move on dreams...

I love and appreciate every moment that I am honored to relate God to one of my students. It is the most fulfilling thing I do.. I believe. My star is burning brightly and I must continue to relate God's words and messages to my young friends and God has willed that for me...I may have to cross some deserts to arrive, but He will be my navigator.

My New Year's wish and Epiphany message is to welcome your new star, believe in yourself and others. And shine on!

Dawn M. Grinnell, Director Children's Formation, EDS

"Mr. Peabody's Apples"

2008-12-08T04:15:00.000-08:00

Happy 2nd Week of Advent.

Again, this Sunday we light another periwinkle candle on our wreath and contemplate the message in this week's waiting. In yesterday's second reading, Peter, ( Peter 3:8-15a), is reminding us to wait patiently...even if 1,000 years is it..becuase in God's time 1,000 years is a day. He also reminds us to see God's patience with us..and that we need to be patient in waiting on God. He reminds us that God does not seek our demise, but in fact promises an ending. Likewise our Gospel message, re-iterating Isaiah's encouragement from Reading 1 "Prepare the way of the Lord", speaks of a similar path and truth.

These readings anticipate a hurriedness. A need to to get to the end..and a need to make sure the end is indeed the right end..with Jesus' coming we must examine the facts in front of us and clean out a space to prepare. We cannot wait on the coming of something new if the old junk is still hanging around. (very much like encouraging our children to tidy and remove toys from their playrooms awaitng the new stuff Santa has promised us).

In this week's Liturgy and reflections of the Advent in my own life...I am reassessing this past year's goodnesses and looking at the untidy spaces that still permeate in my own life and surroundings. I will be encouraging the children "This Week at EDS" to do the same. This week we shall begin to tidy our spaces.

In recently having dinner at a close friend's I am typically asked to read a bedtime story to my special little friends as a treat when I sometimes visit. (Mind you these same people hear me speak 5 days a week at EDS so I am impressed as they would like to hear my storytelling some more in their free-time from me).. haaaa. children! They of course have a selection of 5 books out to choose from..(Christmas in theme). I glance over however to a random book that I discovered a little over a year ago. My eyes lit up knowingly that my advent housekeeping work was beginning...I said, "How 'bout this one?" of course, the stares of horror that a book of Apples would be what I would read to my young friends during the Christmas season. "NO...12 Days of Christmas..." (which from there I was coerced into some Spanish vocabulary read..) again children! But, I couldn't keep my eyes off of "Mr. Peabody's Apples". Madonna, albeit, I love most of her music, I've never thought much of as a children's author..not sure I still do.. however, I did happen to enjoy this rather telling story. I asked my friends if I could borrow this text for a while.. they happily delivered.

I have read and re-read this story a number of times this week. I am reminded of a children's sermon that I did on it last year. I am again reminding myself to ask that powers that be to allow me to deliver it on special children's Sunday in church one of these days. As I always say, the stories out of kids books are the stories that hold the most truth. They are simple and honest. They actually teach a great lesson in less than 15 minutes. Perhaps in our adult world it all we have time for as well.

Mr. Peabody is a man that stands accused of something that looks morally bad. He in fact, knows otherwise. This is actually not the premise of the story. If that type of thing isn't sad enough for you..go one step further. Mr. Peabody's good name is now ruined and shred into so many littler lies as the story is told over and over to the tiny little town they all live in. (Much like ours). Mr. Peabody struggles to figure out one day why no one is befriending him. He hasn't a clue as he always helped others and lived a fairly normal life. It was in the perception of ONE individual that causes such great strife for Mr. Peabody. ONE person has the ability to cause much damage. Yes, that is a fact.

When Mr. Peabody finds out what he actually has been accused of and renders the situation to the individual doing the spreading..(mind you a person who never actually saw a thing he was being accused of)... he takes this person and shows them what one "harmless" accusation can do to someone and their circumstances. THIS is MY FAVORITE teachable moment... the accuser who has now been to see the truth and believes that he spoke out turn begs Mr. Peabody to make it all up to him. Mr. Peabody agrees that one thing could help him...the accuser happily agrees. (Now mind you, after the two have agreed the accuser was wrong and misguided.) Mr. Peabody asks this person to bring a pillow stuffed with feathers out to the baseball field where they have practiced and played games for years together. The act is readily done...the accuser thinking "all I need to do is empty a pillow out into the air." hmm. After the feathers are released into the windy air..the feathers neaturally spread across the entire baseball field and out inot the town... much like the way a rumor is spread. it is not in telling "one person", it is in the telling of one that spreads to many. Try catching one feather on a windy day..never mind a pillow full!!!
It is hard to prevent people from messing things up. Especially when it can be so damaging.. it is even harder to correct it. In my Advent season I am trying to clean up the feathers of doubt, mistrust, and patented falsehoods that permeate our little existences.. and not only for me but for those that need my help.
Please rememeber this little tale the next time you think to tell someone else something you may not be sure of...it can be forever damaging and certainly too much for us to manage as we are busy trying trying to figure out our own truths... remember the circle fo life never stops spinning. What goes around comes around. That was message to my children this week and hopefully a message we can all "prepare the way for".
Miss Dawn, EDS Director

When in doubt...Wait

2008-12-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

Father, forgive me, it has been one month since my last blog... (I do apologize).

We begin this blog tonite, maybe, with your inner commentary, "Well.. I've been waiting." Yes.. I am aware... and I do realize how long it has been..(November completely took off and I never looked back).
But in regard to waiting, I thought it so appropriate to start December's blog entries with precisely that..."Waiting" or in my world, "Advent". Yes, friends it is the season of Waiting. We will now wait with open and quiet hearts through these last 4 weeks of darkness. We are waiting for our light to shine through..to arrive, to come, to breakthrough and knock us over. Thankfully God doen't make it such a lengthy wait.
Today-at-EDS we discussed this very season, Advent.

The children..they waited today for me to hurry on up and finish my rather long chapel sermon about the coming of Jesus and how it all happened. They waited. We are waiting for the arrival of St. Nick, (aka Santa) in a mere 23 days now. I am waiting, (and slightly panicking about waiting 18 days until our Christmas show). I have also been waiting for a number of things myself. I am waiting and anticipating the news of a friend's good fortune to manifest. I am waiting to settle into a cozy and quiet winter ahead. I am waiting for the advent of my own life to manifest in as many ways that I can handle..aren't we all? Yes.. waiting. I think Carly Simon coined the phrase, "Anticipation..it's making me late..it's keeping me waaaiiiting!" She wasn't wrong in the anticipatory part.. that sensation always makes for good waiting...it is in the "making me late part"... that I think we need to delve further into... perhaps lateness is right on time? And with God... it is always in God's time when the windows and doors just open miracously one after another when we are good waiters and listeners!

Jesus came to us exactly when he was supposed to. It had been discussed and prophesied for hundreds of years about HIS coming. My goodness, if you read any of Isaiah...you sit and wonder, "WELL when is this guy getting here already?" We are a starving people, in more ways than one." Great.. the Holy Spirit takes care of that..He send manna from the sky when we need it...we weren't ready yet for the Son of Man. How about the desert and Moses? 40 years..hmm? That's alot of waiting...(and walking for that matter).. again, not ready. How about Noah on the Ark with the animals of the world, and his family for 40 days and nights...(I think I might prefer my stay with the zebras sometimes when I think of that scenario..sorry Mom and Dad and girls). Again waiting for the sign. The good word. When will it get here? Are we there yet??

We live in a world where waiting is not the norm anymore. (Could you imagine anyone in today's high-tech society waiting for any of those above mentioned events to come and deliver its goods?) Myself included, and I consider myself a patient woman! Heck, Domino's promises us 30 minutes and then we are not obliged to pay for the pizza... imagine if God worked like that? The problem with that is that if God delivered everything we waited on in 30 minutes we wouldn't know what to do with it...OR RECOGNIZE it..when it arrived! And better, it wouldn't satisfy our hunger or thirst as in those 30 minutes we may want Chinese.. (I know this happens, ask my friend Miss Terri!)

It is hard to wait. It is harder for some than others. And quite honestly, I suppose it does depend on what it is we are waiting for. Are we desperate enough? Do we genuinely have a need and a void that requires attention. Yes.. the world had those two desires in its wait for Jesus. And look what they still did to Him?? The very thing they had been promised for centuries. The very thing they escaped out of Egypt for. The very thing that some are still waiting upon. But God finally thought the timing was perfect enough to send His only son to us. And the conditions couldn't have been better. Really?? you say? and I say, yes, really. A stable, a humble and willing couple who were PETRIFIED as to how they got into this thing and gave it all up to the Holy Spirit to figure it out for them. They waited for the map quest from God and got it when the Magi showed up. They waited for everything and they didn't blink..they knew when the time was right they would make their move...it happened right along. What if the trip to Bethlehem never took place?... what if Joseph didn't trust His God and stand up for Mary? What if Mary said "No".. she could've?? God loves us that much to let US mess up His plans for us... amazing and yet they didn't do anything like that. They waited, they listened and they walked through he darkness until they saw the light. SOmetimes the right thing IS NOT THE EASY THING. The signs were all provided. When it was time to flee Israel, they left and layed low for a number of years in Egypt..ironic? They didn't make a move until God notified them somehow... the angels are God's "text-messengers". (Iwish my texting plan had angel delivery).

When was the last time you had a significant dream? I had one the other night. It was chock-full of symbology?...of my own psychosis catching up with me?... it was a message about what is coming if I choose to wait for the advent of this event in my life.. I know it is rather ancient and naive..but I figure if it was good enough for the biblical elite to move ahead with their lives based on dream-notification, I should probably honor its importance as well.

These days I have read some VERY heavy duty stuff on the Holy Spirit and how it operates. Waiting and asking is all part of that process. The happiness you seek is on the road marked advent. Your life is quite valuable... not only to you but to those you touch. Remember George Bailey folks???? This is how God gets his work done. When you say no to waiting or listening to God..know that it is okay.. but you are inevitably tying up your own progress by not going down the road of life which is 2-ways. By travelling the route of "Thames St"... one-way... you are not able to readily get off and turn around so quickly. You and God must travel together. Waiting at the yellow light only implies, "caution"...

In this Advent season I hope you come to seek the HS (Holy Spirit) in a way you have never had to or wanted to before. He is the living Jesus among us. Wait for Him and He will surely deliver you your season of Christmas. Have faith..Adeste Fideles...and when in doubt... wait.

Miss Dawn, Dawn M. Grinnell
Director, Emmanuel Day School and Children's Formation

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

2008-11-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

Did you vote yesterday? I sure did. More to come on this topic...

Today at EDS...our new class officers were voted in! What an exciting day (or two) it has been. I watched many a Kindergartner and Pre-K'er work for their votes through lobbying, debating, discussions and good old-fashioned campaigning. I was so completely thrilled with their enthusiasm in these past weeks that it inspired me to re-check my own political agenda.

The playground has been a buzz for weeks now about which "presidential candidate" would become our new president. It wasn't the discussion I thought though. Instead of discussing their own placements within EDS' shabby little political system I found them discussing much higher topics..such as why do the Democrats and Barack Obama want to help others all the time? ...or... what makes a candidate like John McCain become brave enough to survive a POW situation and want to run for the presidency... I MEAN THIS! These conversations took place right here on the grounds of Emmanuel Church Day School.

Our candidates were ready, in my opinion, to run and hold school office positions. As the last two weeks continued on I was actually reminded or slapped back into awareness that voting is a privilege we are so fortunate to have in these United States. In re-writing some of my lesson plans for November I am forced to recall that our first "Democratic" vote took place on the Mayflower...The Mayflower Compact becomes our first sense of "voting for our best option at the moment".... but, yet, it IS voting.

I remind the children periodically that in many a country most do not have the luxury that we have to vote for our country's leader. That a king or queen is assigned to them. Perhaps even one their own age. (They giggle) But truthfully, the giggling halted after a minute or two. The realization of someone 5 running the country did not even seem appealing to those that are 5!

When asked about their platforms and reasons for running I wasn't necessarily "stunned" by some of their "scripted" answers. (Trust me I now know many of YOUR feelings and agendas)... ;) But alas, for me, it was the motivation that I adored in why they wanted to do this. It was also the realization, during Election Day, of how few really want these positions. The fear of more work.. more fundraising, decision making and public speaking were all reasons that my young candidates began to slowly already become lame ducks. Only the strong survived. 3 out of the 6 school presidential candidates actually even VOTED for THEMSELVES!!! The ratio was higher in running-mates voting for another candidate!!! As I monitored the polls I secretly howled in disbelief that those that ran such a strong campaign would secretly concede and allow someone stronger to do the job!!! Braaaaave move I must say...perhaps wise beyond their years! This is why few brilliant minds run for political office....and yet, someone must.

I had explained so many times in the last month or so how important it was to have the liberty in choosing your leader.. I, indeed, felt guilt-ridden. I felt guilty as I did not vote in the last Presidential Election...That, mind you, from the girl who has a degree in history and feels so strongly and passionately about the American system. That from a girl who in her Senior year project in college re-enacted the 1st Continental Congress among her peers..(that was after of course driving to Philly to fetch 12 tri-cornered felt hats and quills!), And that was from a girl who sacrificed a boy-girl date early on election night in 1984 when she could vote for her beloved Ronald Reagan, and ran home from a movie I don't remember, (or the boy's name for that matter), to see Mr. Reagan become elected.

Guilty this year???...yes.. I had not been "in-love" with either of our candidates for very real reasons ....and nearly "sinned again" in not casting my vote either way. Even for the best man at that time...that was all to change.

Sin?? yes.. indeed a sin. I have been blessed and fortunate enough to be an American. I have been given the proverbial spoon in my mouth and have become so spoiled that I would even think to take for granted what my founding fathers worked so damn hard and long to establish..(have you ever seen the musical 1776?? watch it)... to consider not casting my vote...and why? Why, I tell you because I haven't been rocked to a level that I felt was worthy of my vote. Shame on me! I couldn't do this any longer... and if not for me than I would vote for America, our soldiers in the Middle East, for itself..my friends, and my family. I had to vote for someone. I needed to vote for those that couldn't.

Traditionally, I vote Republican. (I am going to get quite honest here). I come from a long line of old Yankees...(not the team either!) My grandmother served on a local women's Republican League. Republicans are not bad people...(much to what many view). It may surprise many of you that I share this perspective knowing that I am very liberal about helping others and funding causes such as poverty in Africa and supporting a national ban on hunger. I am proud that my father served his country for more than 30 years. I am grateful that men like John McCain fought for his nation and did not abandon his colleagues when given the moment to do that. However... equally I was thrilled that this country, no matter what, was going to undergo a change historically that I could teach and someday read about in history books... this I adore. THAT I CAN TEACH IT PUBLICALLY! This is what motivated me... I thought I would either see a woman vice-president or an African American president. And at that moment, I wasn't really caring how little experience ANY of these candidates possessed...I knew this country was ready to change and fortunate WE were as a country that we could do one of two great big "no-no's" that was still not in existence 10 years ago. History was being told. I wasnted to vote to vote.. not hypicritcally either... I wanted to vote because it would have been wrong, two-faced and disloyal for me to have done that. Perhaps, abit treasonistic in it's most innocuous definition. Voting was the way..and would always be, until I couldn't any longer...regardless if my decision was much like our early pilgrims voting on their compact..."lesser of two evils" or just what we needed as a country. I won't know that for awhile...but I still chose to do something.

I will tell you all now that I voted for Barack Obama. (I know.. shocker.) I will also tell you why. I did it for America. I did it for the countless black Americans who have never known justice. I did it for friends... people who have researched this and especially for a few particular ones who feel that God has selected him to heal our nation out of its wounds. ( not my personal reason).. I did it because I can't stand to go another 4-8 years of a congress in opposition of its leader... to remain forever in standstill vetoing and wallowing in unresolved issues. (more of my issue). I did it because I dig Michelle Obama. (I always carefully scrutinize the First Lady.) I did it because I COULD! I did it because one of my best friends in the whole world cannot vote because they are not an American citizen technically..(they are not an illegal alien)... and they are one of the smartest and most genuine people I have the pleasure of knowing and trusting...I did it because they couldn't and they would have given anything to vote for this individual. My vote could be donated.

I am trusting that those that seemingly know better will positively push this forward. I pray for the reformation that this country is begging for. I am hoping they are right. And if they are not...I am not a fraud any longer. I voted today..as they say. I will say..that a large educational piece is at hand here. Recently, I dressed as Sarah Palin for an adult Halloween party and found myslef liked, disliked, abused and harrassed..(death threats). I also encountered "Mr. Obama" at this same Halloween party and he is was in a suit..but with a Jamaican, Rastifarian hat and dred-locks... shameful on both counts and I plan to begin my education on such matters to my young Americans.

Today at EDS, I congratulated our winner. He was surprised, (as was I), that he won...not for any other reason except he did not lead the polls initially. He was kind and promised he would try his best to help our school. My best part of this morning after... was the graciousness of the defeated candidates. They, like, Mr. McCain humbly congratulated and supported their new president. They're were no sore losers and frankly, I think some real relief..as these positions are never easy. Our winner, an underdog, was most grateful. A perfect political ending.

I have full confidence that democracy is clearly the human way...and I have had the pleasure to watch it first hand. I could hear that liberty bell ring loudly this very morning thinking of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Adams and Ben Franklin. I remember my favorite Republican President Mr. Lincoln and I cherished president-elects who had less than fortunate terms. All who serve the Democratic system, even EDS presidents, shall forever be remembered today and all Election Days to come as long as I am able to cast that ballot. Thank God. God Bless America.

Miss Dawn, Director of Emmanuel Day School, Newport, RI

reason, season, lifetime???

2008-10-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the expression, "a season, reason or lifetime?" I am certain most of us have received it either as a FWD in email or read it in some profound book of quotations. I have subscribed to this philosophy for some years and believe it to be my "reason" for writing this snippet today.
The season, reason, lifetime is defined to explain why certain people and events happen in your life when they do. It goes something like this... " a person comes into your life for a reason..to help you thru a crisis, to answer a prayer, to help us mentally, physically, and emotionally get through a moment we are stuck in. They are an answer to a prayer. A need. A longing. They bring relief. But alas, it is only to serve that reason. They then will disappear from our lives without cause, intention or ill-fate. They just go. They have done the job. It got us through.

Someone who enters your life for a season, is just that. A brief season that brings us joy, laughter, lightness and frivolity. It does serve a purpose..and us to them.. but it only lasts a season. And that is all it was intended to do. Just as quickly as Autumn morphs into Winter..so does our seasonal helper move in and out of our lives..our needs.

A lifetime..well.. we know those that are in our lifetime..and we know the potential of those whom we have the inkling to spend a lifetime with. We know them... because they do not allow us to do things that are harmful to our own lives. And we allow them to do things that can be harmful becuase we love them so luch we allow them to do it! They truly care, and us them. They protect and guide us daily to make good choices. They are there when we are feeling less than 100%...equally they still love us through a bad hair day, stupid choice of bed clothes, or just plain ridiculous moves reacting out of insecurity and fear. They love our souls and not our physicality, (although i shouldn't exclude that). They love us and they are there for the duration. And us to them. We made a commitment some time ago, perhaps another plane, to do that. We will die with them.

This week at EDS I had scheduled a "Pirate" for Pirate Day/Fun Friday. I should have known better or perhaps took it as my first clue that I was about to receive a "season" or a "reason" when I knew we couldn't get in touch with the normal pirate company we typically use... it was strange. Our admin. Kathleen then diligently researched other pirate friends in the area..she found a man who served the Newport Public Library on their Pirate Day... We called and booked him. He was gracious and willing to accept and even lowered his fee for the benefit of educating the young mind on "true pirate life". Great...we were set. Seemingly.

Until this past Friday morning...my ship was cast about riding some high waves as I found myself needing a SOS.... our "too good to be true Pirate" had been "dis-masted" and we found ourselves..."SOL"...yikes..mateys!! It was 0900 and I couldn't see how we could cast a line quick enough to set sail by 10 am! Other crew members were due in to watch Capt.Marcus. What is a poor pirate wench to do??? I did not panic. I did not succumb to an SOS... I cast my lot to God and kept my cool... (albeit the waves were high and swelling)... Three actors...(I mean sailors)... came to mind... I placed calls.

Mind you, back at S.S. EDS some of the "deckhands" were nervous and frantic.. I knew that if this were going to happen that the right pirate would show for us despite our poor sailing conditions...and he did!
In knot, (..hahaha...) finding fault in our original pirate..whom, in fact, I have prayed for since his absence could not be here for serious reasons...we actually received what was, indeed, intended to BE HERE! The father of 2 of our students was BETTER than I could have ever imagined! He became the Capt. of this vessel! He couldn't have looked more authentic (fooling his own 2 deckhands).. and could not have ripped out 3 verses of "What do ya do with a drunken sailor?" more on key and with such verbose! This sailor-girl was smiling ear to ear!

After the storm cleared, I was taught that sometimes we get what we NEED when when we least expect it...It is quite often, what we are not expecting at all! It shows me that God has other plans! Go with it!

Will Capt. Jason continue to be our EDS pirate for the years to come?? Not sure... I believe this time next year he will be deployed somewhere in the Middle East... (I guess, if he can get Shore Leave and I can afford his plane fare??) But more in likely, he was here for a reason!

Have you ever known someone to be there for a reason for you? I have. It serves the heart and soul well. It is, although for a time... and it is meant to be let go of. They did their job for you. And you them. It was for God's greater good... and yours.

Just know that only God knows who is your seasonal intention, or reason for change.. or lifetime of knowledge , wonder and trust.. true growth for us. These folks are are friends, loved ones, strangers and acquaintances. They can be folks in an elevator, and then again they can be people we divulge our deepest and most trusted feelings with.

Remember always who these folks are and what most blessed place in our midsts they serve. They are gifts from the Holy Spirit. Thank them and know they are here no matter what purpose they are to serve us.

Dawn M. Grinnell- Christian Formation, EC Newport

The Most SIncere Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

Well, it is that time of year again... that time when our faith is truly tested by the coming of the "Great Pumpkin". Yes.. each year Linus engages us to participate in waiting for the unknown, to have faith in what is unseen, but believed. To have positive thoughts about the future of said miracle....he is waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive and with him we are awaiting our own miracles, the very answers to our prayers.

Let's revisit the story...We open with the romanticism of vivid autumn hues, exciting Peanuts speak-ease of upcoming, "Tricks or Treats", and... falling leaves...we can hear them romantically falling to the ground accompanied by Charles Schultz's music, (a very powerful image). This, in itself, invokes the feeling that something miraculous and sacred may happen here. The actuality of the miracle is in the enjoying what God has set forth here and now, and not desiring more than what we currently have. God is bringing us our desires/miracles. They arrive daily and in many ways. If we don't stop and look we may miss our moment of bliss. We may spend the night in the cold waiting for something that has already been delivered.."sincerely"... I might add!

We have Linus, our protagonist, our philosopher, spiritualist, do-gooder, quoter of Luke's Gospel, daydreamer and just plain dreamer... writing and really "praying" for his miracle this Halloween night..his miracle is to await the advent of the Great Pumpkin...and what he is awaiting in terms of gifts,(answers), is "precisely what the Great Pumpkin has earmarked for him." nothing... he is missing his lifeworshipping an idol... his OWN DESIRE and not that of God's. This is great faith for sure! yeah right. It is however, great faith to know that our maker knows exactly what we may want/need without us having to "look in ourselves" to what WE THINK we may want/need. Here's the problem...Linus in needing to do all the right things...questioning the sincerity of his patch, his thoughts, his intentions, is in fact MISSING OUT on his miracle. His happiness is upon him and yet he chooses again to wait.

THIS will be the year; Linus is sure! (again, this time). Of course he is sure... because he is Linus afterall?? Now, mind you here...the Great Pumpkin only comes to those that are "belief-filled, faith-inspired and believe truly in his coming." For the right and just! Not for the "mindless trick-or-treater". Not for the person who is "living in the moment"..but for the one who puts off his very miracle by waiting in a closed-off patch, doing nothing but acting sincere. Is that true positive willing? LOA, (law of attraction)?, and/or, in Christianity...Faith? If Linus is SOOO sure about his move why then does he need that big, blue blanket?

Here is the catch...the Great Pumpkin will only appear to the "most sincere pumpkin patch"...(in Linus' meek understanding of how miracles are delivered. Linus takes us all on a quest, and this particular year with young Sally Brown, journeying inside whether we can withstand our own fears and doubts when it comes to something we desire/need very much. Are we in fact sincere about the "real outcome?" OR, "Is it our short-sighted outcome?" OR, " could this be a grand miracle awaiting us that comes from a force much greater than us?" Do we have doubts? (even secretly). Do our fears paralyze this manifestation? Can we possible just go out trick or treating and let this good and great thing COME TO US?? YES! (This is Lucy's advice right along).

All of the characters in this story have a need and desired outcome. (As we all do!) Linus, we know awaits his faith to be healed by the actual visitation of the GP. He just wants to know that he is right about all of this. He is VERY CAUTIOUS about whom he shares this dream to. He is fearful that no one will understand, or better yet ridicule him... (in his defense I perhaps can see why.) Also- let's look at his "Patch Partner", the one he chooses to spend the night with..Sally. Does he only confide in Sally because he knows that Sally is desperately in love with him? Has a motive?? Maybe. She makes it no secret that her affection for Linus is strong and unshakable. (or is it really?) Sally's motives are perhaps not in believing that the GP will rise... but for her affection/needs to be returned from the man she wants..so why not do something so sincere as to spend a cold and scary night with her desire..even if it means "missing tricks or treats"..ahh sacrifice...junker or a boy?? What would have happened if she went out and enjoyed her night without Linus?

Then we have Lucy. (My alter-ego). The pessimist du jour. ( actually, I prefer realist.) You almost wonder if she does all that she does to protect her brother and friends from their very insecurities.. her approach is bad, however. She sets up Charlie Brown in scene one to finally kick that football. He is insistent that she will do, as she has always done before. And she does. He is LOA'ing his "need" to forever miss that ball..he is willing his failure. He seemingly enjoys failure. He knows damn-right well that he has made a deal with Lucy in the knowledge to try this again knowing that his own desire to fail will be met. Lucy, is perfectly willing to set-up the "kick-off" again and show that he is in fact not ready for bigger and better things, (ie...Violet's Halloween Party), until he can get a grip and start owning his stuff! Believe in what he wants. Live in the moment!
Lucy.. well, albeit, crabby, and "know-it-all", constantly dispensing her "Lucy-esque" counseling whether you want it or not, for a bargain rate of 5cents.. does have a soft edge we rarely see in the public eye. She begrudgingly, very much against her better judgment, "tricks or treats" on behalf of Linus...who is still holding out for his GP to manifest. She loathes and respects Linus all at the same time for his noble attempt at expecting this to happen each year. Lucy will get up at 4am and dress to go retrieve her young brother from a freezing pumpkin patch and place him into his bed. (always leaving us to wonder about the whereabouts of their parents.) Lucy secretly harbors a longing for her long-haired, musician friend, Schroeder. ( Oh yes...A girl after my own heart.) Although the artist types rarely are motivated by such strong-willed gals such as Lucy...(they prefer more dramatic girls in crisis to inspire their creativity). Lucy can't get around that thought though.. she wants him anyway.. that would be her miracle. Charlie Brown and she would probably fare much better if the truth be known, as he desperately needs someone to push him into taking life by the... well..bootstraps... and she needs to advise. (For some reason Peppermint Patty reportedly "in love" with Chuck in my opinion is far pushier to CB than Lucy..and perhaps this makes her character a bit more disingenuous to me..)

Lucy is a bit co-dependent. Lucy is guilty of not allowing others, including herself, to experience their own failures or success' on their own. We all possess a bit of this. She is too protective and perhaps the least in belief of some "higher force". Perhaps if Linus was left without the knowledge of truly losing his Halloween loot and spending this special eve freezing his butt off, he may come to realize that he is willing something to happen that is more about his own neurosis than what a higher being wants for him.

But truly, we all must look to the real hero here...Snoopy. The only one "getting it." The only one pursuing the "life in the moment" philosophy, is our canine friend.. Snoopy truly and vehemently lives in the moment. He needs to be our hero!!! He is the MOST SINCERE. Our World War I Flying Ace lives the life authentically. He dresses for the night. He rides out the ups and downs trying to avoid the firing from the infamous Red Baron. (normal life baggage).
As the Fighter-Dog plane is hit, Snoopy bravely salutes and goes down with his ship. He owns his crap. (excuse the phrase). He faces his fate. He walks thru the enemy French country-side, swims thru rivers during the darkness, all the while never giving up crawling his way to safety. To what is intended for him! He trusts and does what is best in the moment to get himself to the next storyline..even if that is too kiss Lucy at the Halloween party! But he does it. He then saddles up for a night of music with Schroeder and calls it a night. He knows his limits and knows that if more is to come that he must trust what will be placed before him next. Faith??
yes. faith.
We need to stop our needless worrying and perfectionism and embrace the imperfect... own our stuff and embrace the ups and downs that life delivers. We alos need to know when we are safe, expecting our mracle..and rejoice by dancing afterwards. That is truly when will see the manifestation of the GP...that in fact is the most sincere pumpkin patch of all.
Alas, then, we will know the Great Pumpkin/God shows and never lets us down!
Happy Halloween!
Miss Dawn, Director of EDS and CF Emmanuel Church, Newport

The leaves may be falling, but love is in the air...

2008-10-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

"But if I'd ever leave you, it couldn't be in Autumn. How I'd leave in Autumn I never will know. I've seen how you sparkle when Fall nips the air. I know you in Autumn. And I must be there."
-Camelot

aaahhhh...well you would think it springtime here at EDS!!! The lovebug has come to town..or should i say "K-Town"...as I affectionately call them!! We have traded our tulips for pumpkins, our cherry blossoms for changing leaves.. Yes... this blog today is all about love!
Caution Please....Adults may be reading this.....

What does Autumn and Kindergarten have in common?? Nothing, except the word, "deciduous"...
One is going thru a dying process, if you will, and the other is "waking up". Spring has sprung with my young 5 year olds and I am finding myself envious of warmer days!!

I have been amazed and rather taken aback at the outward PDA's going on all over EDS and really in K-Town. It has made me aware that we adults forget about what genuine affection is all about. It makes me remember lighter days in life when liking someone meant you needn't worry about how he/she will be received by your beau's relatives, what kind of car you own, what your outfit looks like daily, thinking a bad hair day would ruin for it you, or if this person is "the one" to change your life...nope...its all about the moment. Liking someone becuase you know the chemistry is right and it feels good. Period.

This past month, "Falling into October" has officially been changed to "Falling in Love". This has been a huge topic of discussion for our newly maturing Kindergarteners. Who knew that I would need to include this into the EDS curriculum?? Or watching it happen while delivering lessons on a Pumpkin's Anatomy...(whoops wrong choice of words).

I must say, I have forgotten what this was like and about. I am here to say that developmentally it is right on target..and again.. everything we need to know we learned in Kindergarten.

Recently,I needed to find a baby photo for our contest...and then some reminiscing took place for me. In climbing through mounds of black and whites at the family homestead I came across Kindergarten memories. My mother kept a babybook on my siblings and myself. She wrote very candidly about my experiences at a private Kindergarten, (that I have based much of my school against.) The warmest memory written was of my experience of being"kissed" on the swings by my K-town love interest...we will call him AR..(not a joke), to protect his identity. I giggled and thought...boy, I fondly remember the "pumpkin patch" at Mrs. Casey's school... I also remember the Apollo Mission landings being televised. (dating myself)..and clearly I remember our version of "Fun Friday"...holding hands and dancing to Mrs. Ottiledge bang out Farmer in the Dell on the old upright.... but I do not remember the kiss. Why? (as my K-friend John would ask me). My answer to me...is not clear. Or is it?

All this love in the air has made me aware of what "boys" out in this world should be doing all the time! (Or at least in my still-single dating world). I have seen so much in the way of gentlemanly behavior lately...I have seen help to aid our friend who was crying by offering a hug or an "at-a girl" when necessary. I have seen heavy things be wisked out of young ladies hands. I have seen assistance with coats and sweaters, doors held open, places being saved at lunchtime. I have watched boys not begin eating until their dining partner arrived after hand-washing, or mentoring in the classroom when someone has gotten a bit behind in their lesson....jsut to catch them up and make sure they had their playmate ready for recess.
I have also seen affection, ummm... real affection..that probably should be better saved for the later years...but for them, a real curiosity that I think "boys" can't seem to help themsleves on...oh well..I can't change the human race..I am only here as an observer and mentor!! But most importantly, I have witnessed boys not shy away, ignore, or "play games" with girls because they "didn't want to lead them on"... or "they can't commit". No one was asking and no one is keeping score. The genuine exchange of love and affection on boys with girls without a motive or reason to hide is truly a beautfiul thnig to watch!! Men seem to lose this quality as they grow. And why? (again).

Likewise, I have seen young ladies wait for "back up" when in distress..."seeing if their man will come to the rescue"... I have witnessed girls giving themselves the once-over in the long mirror outside of the ladies powder room. I see batting eyelashes, winks and flirting... and I have also been privvy to clear signs of emotional discontent when something is not being attended too.
(an innate chick thing for us)... I have also seen some of the sweetest displays of genuine feminine care when their brave soldiers have been injured during their recess jausting exhibitions. Equally, I have seen "at-a boys" be given freely and mentoring to those who are behind in a lesson...(so they can be swept away by an extended hand to the next EDS event.)
I have seen girls growing into women and not wondering if this boy will "dump me for her" next week. I have seen girls who are confident and sure about who they are and commanding the respect they deserve on the ladder of boy-girl relationships. They are liking a boy for who he is and not for what he will do for her!

They are not looking to get married. No one is scaring anyone at this point and no one has placed extraordinary measures of expectations. No one needs to have a baby in a timely fashion and certainly everyone is here with the same goals and that is to learn, have fun, and to treat others respectfully. That is it. That is their job. No mortgages, car payments, school loans, credit card debt, family to support, long-distance relationships, or adult problems too grave to think about. It is to just learn about themselves and the world around them... Of course it would be far easier to find and sustain interest in the opposite sex without all of the world's pressures heaped upon us. again... aah..to be 5! I am envious of their lives sometimes.

I have seen jealousy and contentment.... love and playfulness. I have seen whispering gals and giggly guys when, "they all know what the real deal is"... AND I DON'T! Could the John McCain children's story possibly be thaaaat good??? Hardly. They are experiencing a normal surge of hormones right now that prompts them to look outside of their bodies..(literally). They will undergo a year of transformation in their physical and emotional lives from now unitl about 6-6.5...and then it happens..."boys will have cooties".... "girls will be yucky". Their hormones will shut down for awhile so they can become readers and mathematicians. Chemists and artists. They "lose" touch with God for awhile and stop hugging us, never mind each other. It must be part of the plan. The feelings and hormones will surge again in about 6 years or so, but in a more guarded resonance then what took place back in K-town. Its miserable to think about actually. Life and love will become more about judgement and restrictions. Bummer.

Yet for now...what I do observe is that peace and love, contentment, and being liked are all necessary and healthy components for ALL of us AT ANY AGE! It gets us to want to try harder! Affection from the opposite sex pushes and prods us to try new things with confidence. In being 5 they could care less about an outcome...a future anyway..because they are truly living for today in this moment! This is exactly how we all should be living. This is what I have learned about being a Kindergartener in love.

Affectionately Yours,
Miss Dawn, Director EDS

LOA-101

2008-09-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

This week at EDS: Law of Attraction (aka...Prayer)

I am not jumping on the new-age bandwagon here....I have been a "subscriber" of this way of living long before it became hip. Do I read the material that is "out there"? Most certainly, but also discerningly. Is it of value? Always has been, (it is ,of course, a universal law..) and really one of the cornerstones of Jesus' preaching.

For those that didn't jump into "The Secret"... (a spin-off series)...the Law of Attraction states that when one is wanting or in need of anything, desire, (good or bad) it will become a reality. It will manifest itself to you if you place the proper "emotion" around it. "Believing in the reality." "Accepting that your need will be met in advance of it manifesting." "Affirming that how I think about this will occur.".... Isn't that Faith? Isn't that how we are taught to pray? You pray knowing full well that your need has been heard and that it's manifestation will occur when the timing is right. The timing could be in 5 minutes or 5 years.

How much "emotion" you put into your desire will depend on it's outcome. But, regardless, the thought you think (no matter) will be the outcome pending on how much emotion you fuel it up with. Therefore it is safe to venture that if we were to think "Positively" about our need and only fixate on the happy emotion it would bring us then our expected outcome. Same for Negative", too, unfortunately. (Thus , the phrase, "careful what you wish for"). Laws of Science play fairly.

And as we say about prayer, your attitude throughout the process is what will carry you through. If you pray, and then, "Let Go and Let God"... your happiness will radiate from you while your desire is manifesting. Thus, attracting even "more positive" desires to you along the way. God never wants us to live in worry and doubt. Fear and sadness.

Now, that I have reviewed LOA 101 with you...I will tell you about my experiences in relating this concept to my young EDS friends. I feel it extremely important to spend time with them assuring them at such a young age that thinking positively is the way to healthy living. I feel this part of my calling to teaching young people..(as strongly as I feel teaching about geography!!)

Today's message at EDS this week: "I can". "I tried". "I can turn it around". We read Dr. Wayne Dyers's children's book, "Incredible you"...this week for Chapel. I had seen this at my local favorite bookstore plenty of times but until I walked in to the Kindergarten room 2 weeks ago and heard Miss Allison reading this...I decided to sit and listen. I said..."This is Law of Attraction for kids! Let's do this all next week for Chapel." Happily, we did. There were 10 "laws" of self-respect/love that benefit anyone young or old. It is story about believing that you are "okay" as you are. You are exactly where you should be. You can achieve anything you want. It is truly a way to think positively, shape your thoughts, and not negatively fixate on bad outcomes. "I CAN" . ( which proved itself time and again this week during our lessons... )

One page of statements in the book were, "I can't". "I'm scared" "I'm too dumb". A small girl afraid and nervous..worried..the opposite page was filled with "I can". "I'm brave" and "I'm smart". Which page feels better?

Constant affirmations about what can do...what are we best at? What can my future look like? Ways to walk away when someone attempts to bring us down. My goodness. Simple and easy. Yet we adults succumb to all those worries and pressures. We quite often fall victim to negative thoughts about who we are and what GOD/UNIVERSE/SOURCE has in store for us and what we are capable of doing.... having it, if we REALLY want it. Trust and faith. Positive vs. negative. Love instead of hatred. Live and let live. Why not learn this at 5?

I am constantly reminded that the book such as Dr. Dyer's, and a personal favorite, "Everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten" are books that one cannot put down and should re-read forever!

Dawn M. Grinnell, Director EDS and Children's Ministries

Peter and the Wolf

2008-09-19T04:17:00.001-07:00

"Once upon a time there was a shepherd boy..."
We all know how this one begins. When was the last time you heard it though? Young Peter, the village's keeper of the sheep is off to another day of ho-hum, blase, mindless sheep-tending. The way this teacher looks at this is that Peter has too much time on his hand and has very active mind...he is bored. He is also craving excitement in his life needlessly. (Not the good kind.) Peter is also into ," THE DRAMA", as they say.

Each school year around this time Miss Trish, (head 3-year old teacher), and myself are reminded about our old friend "Peter" and his self-induced drama. WE begin to hear quite frequently from the same friends..."I need to go to the bathroom." Averaging about 5x in the first part of either yoga, morning meeting, or perhaps a story. (Leading to believe either our friends are having more coffee than us before their EDS day or we may need to serve them cranberry juice for snack). Neither is correct, and I am obviously using sarcasm to say that we know "our EDS Peters". Those that feel the urge to spice things when they are having trouble keeping their eyes on their fries....they want an out from the road they should be on.

Quite frequently, we notice this "Head-Hitting" when we begin Chapel. hmmmm. So, the other day Trish announces..."Well Miss Dawn, I think its time to pull out Peter and the Wolf!" "Yes,Indeed. Miss Trish". While reading the story as I have more than 100x I began to "accent" the parts I want to drive home. It is amazing though...a simple children's classic is always your best teaching tool to all parties!

It is sad. Peter really is aching and seeking negative attention. To briefly remind you, Peter is contemplating this drama thinking, "Wouldn't it be exciting if a real wolf did come into the pasture??" His thoughts were of folks running to his rescue...saving the sheep....waiting to see who would makeover him the most thinking of his compromised safety...." SO...he tries it! "WOLF... WOLF! There is wolf stealing our sheep!!!!" And without hesitation..."SUCCESS" Everyone dropped what they were happily doing and ran to Peter's rescue! Peter was so delighted with himself he couldn't stop giggling...he giggled right in front of the very people who trusted him. They were upset. They were relieved that it was only a prank and perhaps took comfort in the fact that he was just a boy, doing boy things.
The next day... guess what? He did it again. Same exact thing...his drama was working for him...so why not? Crying wolf got people to stop and pay attention to what he was doing. Crying wolf was still funny. Crying wolf was feeling comfortable for Peter. He cried. People came. (There is a part where Peter's mother is actually falling to pieces over Peter's unsafe environment....

Those that came to Peter's rescue again...were hurt. They bought the story again. They believed the cry for help. Their trust was compromised. Peter continued giggling.....however....dunt...dunt...dunt.... SO WAS THE WOLF! A wolf had been watching this drama the entire time. He decided HE needed to shake things up..."Why not earn that reputation?"
Well. we do know the end of this tale. Sadly. Peter confesses in the beginning of our story that he never ACTUALLY has seen a wolf before,not to mention what a wolf could ACTUALLY do!
When Peter screamed for the very help he wanted he wasn't trusted any more. Nobody came running. It is a heartbreaking tale of trust.
The looks on the children's faces after reading our stories, parables, teachable moral moments are the facial expressions I live each day for in teaching. Those stories remind us all about why we really come to school!

Dawn M. Grinnell, Director EDS and Christian Formation

70x7=4giveness

2008-09-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

By now you have guessed what I am about to ramble on about. I am speaking of God's favorite equation. It is actually ironic when you multiply the number above and receive 490 as a quotient...then realise that that is not many more days than a full year. It makes me know that someone CAN hurt you 365 days (and change) and you may come to expire the "legal limitation" of forgiveness...(well perhaps not in ancient times when you didn't live so long I guess!)

Peter asks Jesus today, "Lord, how many times must I forgive? Seven times?" Obviously, Simon-Peter, leaning toward the optimistic and generous view of forgiveness.....

Jesus' reply..."Seven times Seventy Peter!" Well... who would know that multiplication was so present in ancient Hebrew times?? (indeed applicable to fishes and loaves !)...
But really..seriously... the answer...a Jesus sarcasm if you will... please Peter..."7x70!!!"

Have you ever really struggled with forgiveness? Really? I have. 110%. (or 1x110) I have any way you look at it. And the outcome is still the same regardless if the answer is 490 or 110. It is still hard. And it is still necessary. For growth anyhow...

I have been struggling as to how to teach forgiveness to my students. it is a hard concept to teach young minds. They are bent on either "due justice" or should just plain forgive, no questions ever asked... hmm.??? To forgive is to go "downstream." To resist..."upstream."

Just like the fish in the river and most especially as I used today as my example of opposite polar repelling magnets. When one forces resistance you can feel the energy repelling. You don't have to "invent" a reason you can feel the the very real energy of oppositely forced resisting each other in ordinary magnets. upstream. When you hold 2 opposing magnets side by each the energy feels so off and so negative...much like our fear to forgive. When we resist forgiveness of any kind our energy is shifted. It doesn't flow nice and smoothly. It bumps along and feels awkward. It resists and repels. These feelings do not make us feel good. As good, universal energy in science we want the "click" the "snap" as we hear and feel the two energies collide into one another and stick.
We also must be aware of this in forgiveness, In realizing that letting go of our hurts and wounds is part of that magnetic release of freedom. The letting go is what sets us free..as they say. It allows good downstream energy, non-resistant energy, to flow in it's place. That is what feels right in the now. Listening to source/God in us.
I thought of a situation today very close, near and dear to me, in the last several days in preparing for this talk. It involved a love affair.... (ut, oh)! It involved a man in my life whom I became "close" to during an awkward, lost, and sad part of my life. During a time of heartache and rejection. He did wonderful things for me. He did things that "he didn't even do"... He made me feel alive again and made me willing to place some faith in not only myself but in the God-source. He made me question my willingness to really have faith in another. And want it.

I live pretty far away from this individual. And yet he lives "near by" alot. He taught the teacher about learning how to take the lesson and walk away with the assignment...study it, but really in fact, learn it. He taught me to forgive. he taught me to forgive and accept the other person in my life 7x70...like God instructs us. That is the truth of acceptance and love. It taught me to forgive him when he needed to go and get what was right for him...it taught me alot.

Thru his rejection of me I realised that it is not about me. it is not personal. But the reality was is that I had already learned this lesson several months ago. The lesson is in self-love and appreciation. It is not until we forgive our own "junk" and love ourselves that our doors swing wide open for the 7x70 math equation to happen.

The love who lives far away once said to me, " I am not sure if we have that rarefied air that is needed to call it , what it is? "... and my response... "well rarefied air obviously requires some light, cumulus, fluffy cloud cover."...I know that anyone who will forever require my forgiveness will need stormy atmospheric pressure in order in order for me to feel what true barometric pressure can do to ones' soul. Who can sustain the storms of life? Forgiveness occurs in the clean up of post-traumatic weather patterns.

I am all about flowing downstream, going with the storms, and riding out the rough weather.
That is the answer to the puzzle without jamming my pieces into spaces that don't quite fit just cause I want them too.

God quite often finds the peace you seek in the imperfect part of forgiveness. Forgive and heal. Move on and live to your fullest. Live in the moments that are real and present. Survive in the moments that shape you. Know when to throw in the towel. Love another when you can and don't look back. That is forgiveness. Truly. Love One Another as I have Loved you.

Dawn M. Grinnell, Director of Formation and EDS

Today's Lesson is about Signs

2008-09-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

What is a sign? A sign is indicative of a direction of some sort. Signs tell us alot. They show us which way to a desired venue. They show us where we should be taking a right turn..or left. Our built-in GPS, if you will??? They teach us to honor the skills that are both learned and intuitive. They are the there for reasons.

Who delivers our signs? Well they could be the State of RI?...they could be Rand-McNally? But ultimately they are God. Truly. The Universal God is delivering signs to us daily. They are answers to hard questions. They are answers to heartache. They are answers. Period.

Why do we continue to drive and not stop for directions?? I know! I know. It is the AGE-OLD joke placed on "man-kind" for a century. We don't ask because we are not interested in knowing. It is that simple. We don't look. We don't see the man on the runway flaggin'us in dressed in tangerine clothes...we don't' want the knowledge. Are we TOO smart? Too egotistical? Too stubborn? Too jealous? Too everything? We think we know the right response.. We think .
Maps... it is all therefor us. The maps have been made and we just need to roll them out and look at the direction we want to go. The direction of where we want to take ourselves. Without lying about the destination.

This week in the Gospel I am talking about measuring God's Love for us and knowing that God is our runway man. He speaks of not raising the alternative route...but staying on his path. We may call it I95...as opposed to Rt 1A. The direct route to our desires. We talked about meanness and when someone offers a comment or directive an not "rising to its moment". We talk of staying on the highway of our life.

I placed a simple measurement balance before the children this week and placed some scrabble tiles on one side of our balance...they read "BAD". Then we talked about what bad things someone may say or do to you to provoke your direction.... then I placed "MEAN" on the other side and then like magic the other side of the balance got heavier...the response side replied, "NO"...and so on... the result is that back and forth behavior in negativity never balances your scales. The sign was to walk away and not respond to your friend's mean remark/behavior. Thus resulting in your side of the scale being higher as a result of your restraint, not behave in the fashion that they did. Your scale pushing you "higher" to heaven... well maybe.

The signs in your life are very clear most of the time. Even like my last example. You don't need to rise to someones ill choice of publicly embarrassing you. You can continue listening and watching your signs and GPS to steer you toward or away from what it is right or wrong.

Signs exist for reasons.To point us into the light of good direction. They show us where we need to be... not where we think we should be headed.

Dawn M. Grinnell
Director of EDS, and Christian Formation Emmanuel Church

The Big Rocks

2008-09-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

"Today at EDS", which for some of you scratching your head, might say..."what is EDS?" Is a blog-site set up for parents, grandparents, friends, and church-goers that enjoy keeping up and learning about what is going on at Emmanuel Day School, Newport, RI. It is a blog that expresses my reflections daily, teacher's insights, and those views that what we strongly subscribe to in our school.

Welcome!! I wish I could present you all with a shiny red apple and newly sharpened bouquet of #2 Yellow pencils, as I did the teachers this past week... just imagine and read on...

This Week at EDS:

Sermon and Chapel: "The Big Rocks"

The Big Rocks. Well I am sure many of you are familiar or have seen this demonstration of placing your "Big Rocks" into an empty vessel first so as to then make room for the smaller rocks, pebbles, sand and water...all items fitting into the glass jar. Trite? maybe..Usable? always, and definitely a large reminder each time you "perform" this act how impacting it can be...even with the very young mind.
After an explanation of what Big Rocks are, I ask the group of new EDS'ers "What are your Big Rocks in life?" I am astounded by the responses... I am now aware that a new and refreshing type of childhood is at hand among us since the last time I did this.
They all look in wonderment at first, and then I nudge a few responses..."How about....?" I am quickly interrupted by a voice from the crowd... "LOVE". I gulp. "Yes...great one!" "Love is certainly a Big Rock" (write it on our board).... I then to try to formulate my thought again, (something like "Family", maybe...) and then I hear, "SELF".... "WOW"..."Who said that?" and "Yes, loving ourselves should be a Big Rock!" (I am floored now). Thinking my same thoughts about the "usuals" and listing them..."friends, family, education, food, shelter"... I am still lost on the first two responses... so I look at our list and suggest that we are missing and item, right? So, I suggest, "How 'bout God?" The response..."Well, He is all around us anyway Miss Dawn. That is what you always say." (GULP) SO...I think "Self?" "Love?" maybe these kids know more than I?? As is always the case... my lessons ,most frequently come directly from them.

We did go on to complete the exercise. We had a second-string of responses of pebbles, sand and water. They all made perfect sense, and were correct. The message received in my end game... yet, it made me think hard about the first two.

Not sure about you, but my upbringing, (not suggesting demonation), didn't include self love. (sadly). Respect? maybe..as long as I followed the confines of how one can be self-respectful.
No one ever encouraged me in exploration of what self-love and self-respect meant. And yet ultimately it is the very two things that Jesus professes we do to be whole, happy and complete. ????We know through years of learning, book reading, and perhaps, therapy, that we can't love others (truly) until we love ourselves. Does this suggest that Jesus loved himself? You betcha! He'd have to!!!! (If the theory is to work anyway).
Where are we in our world and in our thinking when children can say that? I will tell you. We have made GREAT strides. We are raising children who will not succumb to the stresses of others and learn that THEY are of value. There is no place for guilt and shame in this world. Jesus would not have it for you...and if HE thought YOU thought it of yourself he would have saddled up to you in some ancient school, well, pub, synagogue,beach, somewhere and told you how ridiculous you were and to never it mind as God had real work for you.
Jesus wasn't about shame.
I felt horrible yesterday. For the first time in more than 3 years in opening and teaching at EDS I contracted my one and only illness that puts me into bed, (on the second day of school)..."Strept Throat". I felt so guilty it being Day 2 and I knew I had it... I never get sick and I always know the minute this is in my body. I had two options... Stick it out and spend the day miserably, (infecting others, maybe?) Because it was Day 2? or Go to bed and call my Doctor? After my Rock Sermon I decided to take care and love myself. Sometimes one must see to one's self for the good of the order. Thursday was a brighter day filled with my usual high energy and enthusiasm. Isn't that what God would have wanted for me? God is never interested in the leftovers of what I have to give... The Source craves my very best. And so do I! That is love at it's very best.
Please don't fill your glass jar with the smallest things...when you need to fit the larger important items you may not have the space, time, energy, or health to do so...again I am reminded that the simplest lessons are right. We are right to expect the Big Rocks in our life!

Dawn M. Grinnell, Director EDS and Children's Ministries Emmanuel Church