Christmas

Christmas Greeting

Monday, 14 December 2009 12:56

From the desk of Garret G. Nieuwenhuis
Executive Director
Foundation for Eastern Christian School Association

"For unto us a child is born Unto us a Son is given" Isaiah 9:6

Dear Friends December 2009

Once again we have entered that special time of the year when all around us we see and hear the sounds of Christmas and we celebrate the Advent season in our churches and homes. What a blessing, that as a Christian School, we can join in these celebrations without restrictions from the authorities. On the other hand, what a shame that so many others, who may very well attend Christian churches and celebrate the birth of our Savior in their homes, attend schools where this celebration is forbidden.

As we approach the end of 2009, we are compelled to reflect on the many blessings that have been ours, and to give thanks to God for His faithfulness in once again providing for the needs of our school. After a difficult beginning this year, requiring significant sacrifices and restructuring of programs, we have been blessed beyond measure with supportive parents, dedicated teachers and administrators, and generous donors who have been led by God to support our school in remarkable ways.

Our fundraising initiatives, in spite of a slow economy and record levels of unemployment, have done remarkably well. Our largest event, The Annual Fund, continues to perform well in spite of the fact that we have fewer donors this year compared to previous years. Those who gave however gave out of their abundance and more than made up for those donors unable to support us this year. Our Business Drive continues to perform according to our goals with new donors added this year that formerly chose not to support us. Our fundraising events so far this year have also done very well. Although our annual Fashion Show produced fewer dollars than anticipated, we were bolstered by the invitation to join with the Christian Health Care Center in sponsoring the annual Harvestfest which more than made up for the loss of funds from the Fashion Show. Our recent Christmas Bazaar was very successful both from a retail sales point of view as well as for the opportunity to meet and greet so many of our parents and supporters who faithfully use this opportunity to do some of their holiday shopping. Today we are participating in our annual Barnes & Noble Bookfair with great expectations for a very successful event and an excellent opportunity to promote our school to the shoppers at this event.

All of these events and fundraising initiatives required a tremendous amount of coordination and commitment on the part of many people, both paid and volunteers who in many cases go above and beyond because it is for the benefit of ECSA. We are very appreciative of their dedication and support because without them, we would not have many of the programs and services that EC offers.

Soon we will be enjoying our Christmas break, when we will gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of the greatest gift of all, our Savior, Jesus Christ. For some of us the Christmas season began by participating in singing Handel's Messiah with the Cathedral Choir. What a thrill to proclaim in song "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given". What a gift! What a Savior! It was very significant that the offering taken at the concert was for the benefit of Christian education both at Eastern Christian and at other local Christian Schools.

Soon we hope to embark on a new year, filled with both concern and promise. We ask for God's continued leading in the lives of our supporters as we embark on the second half of the school year. Several significant events are planned to sustain the level of financial support required to provide a Christ centered education to our students. We pray that you will once again join us in meeting this challenge.

We wish you a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with peace.

Garry Nieuwenhuis
Exec. Dir. ECSA Foundation