Winter 2012

GraceA touch of

Community SchoolCommunity School

I have directed you in the way of wisdom;I have led you in the upright paths.

Proverbs 4:11

GCS School BoardMr. Clay White - PresidentDr. Hal EverettMr. Chris GlenneyDr. Charley GordonMrs. Stacy HamiltonMr. Jeff Johnson Mrs. Stephanie NickelMr. Fred PateMr. Scott PierceMr. Steve SpitzerMr. Greg StrnadelDr. Brent WadleMr. Mark WhatleyMr. Clay WhiteMr. Walter Wilhelmi

GCS AdministrationJay Ferguson – HeadmasterJennifer Dozier – Elementary PrincipalKarla Foreman – Junior High PrincipalWanda Shaeffer – High School Principal

Today’s Mission Model At Grace and as the Body of Christ, we always want to be engaged in what John Stott called “double listening”, meaning to listen both to the Word of God and to today’s world in order to relate the one to the other. Doing so helps us prepare our students to influence the world for Christ and to avoid the twin traps of unfaithfulness and irrelevance. In his excellent book, Meeting of the Waters, author Fritz Kling identified seven global currents or trends that are changing the world for all of us. They include:

Mercy - younger people living out their faith by serving others.

Mutuality - Christianity developing worldwide, and the West is no longer the hub of international Christianity.

Migration - people throughout the world are on the move, from nation to nation and from country to city.

Monoculture - people migrate and cultures become more diverse, there is a blending of cultures from oneinto another.

Machines - technology has allowed for Christians and others to reach around the world to communicateideas, including the gospel, with a greater breadth than ever before.

Mediation - ironically, rather than causing greater harmony, the blending of cultures is causing people andgroups to become more polarized than ever before; thus, there is a great need for mediators and peacemakersto bring people together.

Memory - even as cultures blend, the powerful pull of hundreds of years of native culture creates world-views that affect everything in whatever culture one finds oneself.

The mission model of the past, of someone who travels to remote parts of the world to live among indigenous peoples for their entire lives, is changing. Although “taking one’s coffin with one when one goes” is still happening, a new mission model (or the resurgence of an old one) is emerging as a result of these global trends. The missionary of today (and of your children’s future) is a person who travels to another country to work as a computer programmer, an engineer, a doctor, or a software designer, rather than a “professional missionary”. While there, he is constantly on mission, sharing the gospel of Christ through words and actions where he works, lives, and plays. He may only be there for several years before moving on to another foreign land or returning home. Even when he moves on or returns, however, technology allows him to stay con-nected and to communicate God’s Truth to the areas he’s reached long after he has physically left. At Grace, we need to be preparing our young people to be on mission, here and abroad, at all times. We are exploring ways to help our students understand new languages. We are working on introducing them to new technologies while giving them a framework to assess and evaluate tech-nologies as they develop. We are helping them see themselves as global Christians with something to offer and something to learn from the many cultures in which they may find themselves. And, that the generational in-clination to love through acts of mercy is not an “add-on” to the gospel, but the outpouring of it. All the while, we continue to weave God’s Truth and love into their hearts, praying and trusting that the Holy Spirit will ignite all these things into a passion to see themselves as missionaries no matter where they are. This is what influencing the world for Christ looks like for the 21st century Christian. Let’s get our kids ready.

2 To assist Christian p arents in equipping our

3 young people to influence the world for Christ.

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Yanely Mesa  Our new high school Spanish teacher, grew up in Cuba and brings firsthand experience of growing up in a completely different culture. Her childhood was bleak, between witchcraft being the main religion and the lack of freedom inherent with communism that colored her life. She was in a home where love was not demonstrated between her mom and dad, and there was always a struggle to provide the necessities. With all salaries set by the government, her physician father and nurse mother worked long hours, but had barely enough to feed the family.

Yanely was chosen to study ballet, but the methods were harsh and her teacher critical. Yanely became anorexic by age nine. Her teacher actually assigned someone to monitor what she ate and continually told her she would never be a ballerina. The emotional toll was beginning to show, and her mother was concerned, but not sure what to do. Yanely remained with that teacher until she was eleven, and then finally got another teacher. By that time, the damage was done. While the new teacher focused on more than what she was eating and how she looked, Yanely felt ill, had no joy whatsoever, and wanted to die.

  Trying to solve the downward emotional spiral she was experiencing, she decided she would find what she needed by switching to art. It was a very difficult thing to do at this point in her life, but her parents arranged for her to take the test. She was accepted to study art in August of her 15th year. Still, the void remained. After art, Yanely began to study law.

  At this time, a neighbor invited her to a Bible study. Here she began to feel something going on inside and knew she wanted to get to know the Lord.

Over the next several years, she slowly transformed into a child of God.  Trusting in Christ for her salvation was the first step, but the healing took much longer. Her parents were happy for her to remain with this youth group, because they were seeing a definite change in her. She received medical help to conquer her eating disorder. Her Christian friends encouraged her, her leaders challenged her to sing and pray, and the Word finally brought victory in her spirit and Yanely was able to dance again!

Four years after beginning the study, she found herself leading other young adults, and

she was able to live a life experiencing true joy.  When she was 22, Yanely came to the United States for the first time. Arriving on a student visa, she went to Dallas with Christ for the Nations where she studied for two years. After two years, she transferred to Dallas Baptist  University  where  she  finished  her  university  education.  Now Yanely is with Grace, still pouring into the lives of young adults.

The void has been filled with her relationship with Christ, and she loves what she is doing. 9

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As a father of teens, a pastor for 23 years, and a social media marketer, I’ve become acutely aware of the sudden widening “technology gap” between parents and children. For insight beyond my perspective, I visited with Greg Garner, educational technology teacher at Moore Middle School who happens to be a “digital native” having grown up with technology. Tim Connor, father of elementary children, techno-geek, and frequent social media user, joined us to bring his perspective.

Greg: Technology somehow puts a “mystery” on things. What seems natural to students often seems mysterious to parents and teachers.

Tim: What has changed is the accessibility—today’s kids have gadgets that have both sped up and intensified the natural socialization processes of adolescence.

Todd: For my kids, their socialization is faster and much closer—and there’s the expectation of getting any information, anytime, anywhere.

Greg: I hear parents say “you’re wasting time on Facebook, texting, etc”—but it’s this generation’s socialization process—a form of “hanging out at the mall.” It’s essentially a social exchange of information and opinions, but to parents with adult responsibilities, time spent “facebooking” or “texting” looks like time-wasting because it would be for them.

Todd: I have to agree with you, Greg—not all, but a good bit of the social networking is healthy, coming-of-age stuff. My daughter was interacting with her friends (on Facebook), and I thought, “Wow, that would have been a BLAST to have Facebook when I was in Jr. High!” I even felt a twinge of jealousy.

Tim: We try to talk to our children about things before they happen—we anticipate what is coming and talk about it at home before they experience it firsthand. I recently asked my 6th grader, “What do you feel you need in order to keep in touch with your friends?” That question started a conversation about cell phones, email, and Facebook and allowed us to guide her in thinking about these tools before she actually gets them.

Greg: Even though I’m not a parent, I teach “digital citizenship”. I talk about what builds strong relationships—or tears them down. I remind students that even in this century, manners are still manners—don’t call people names and don’t post bad pictures. My mantra is “think before you click.”

Kingdom-minded parents need to make an effort to learn about smart phones, Facebook and other technologies that our kids already know. Rather than thinking these tools are time-wasters, we should see them as a foreign language our children speak that we don’t know. If your son learned and spoke only Japanese—a way to build a relationship with him would be to learn some basic Japanese. Kaye and I “go where our kids are” because of the relationships we are building with them— volleyball tournaments, choir performances, football games, etc. If the answer to “where are the kids right now?” is “texting on their phones”, we need to grow as text users. If they’re “on Facebook”, we need to know how to use that tool.

Greg recommends the following resource as a discussion springboard with your children about things online: onguardonline.gov. In spring, we’ll have an evening dedicated to parents on this topic, learning some things together for our kids’ benefit, and ultimately for the glory of our Lord. Thanks for scratching the surface with us today.

Social Media

We agree that there is a rapidly growing technology gap between parents and children -- what have you observed in the last year or two?

If, as Christian parents, our goal is to equip and prepare our children to make a difference for Christ in their world, what are a few things that we can do when it comes to social media?

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To assist Christian p arents in equipping our

Honoraria and MemorialsGifts given to honor or in memory of family members, faculty, students and friends by the donors listed below.

Gifts are acknowledged immediately by a personal card to the bereaved or honored family.No mention is made of the gift amount. Many find this living memorial more meaningful than flowers.

(Gifts received as of printing deadline for this issue.)

In memory of Sydney Pate, grandmother of Leslie (2009) & Kelsey (2010) Pate, and Hannah & Sarah (2007) SouthGiven by: Jo Ann & Gary Krafft, Beverly & Don Crozier, and Vicki & Kent Crozier

In memory of Rice McLeod, grandfather of Chris McLeod (9th)Given by: Gigi & Brent Wadle and Dremma & Glenn Throckmorton

In memory of Ed Bays, grandfather of Brit (6th) & Brooks (3rd) BaysGiven by: Rebecca & Jim Bosley and Stacey & Brad Bays

In memory of Jimmie Lee Taylor, grandmother of Josiah (12th), Geoffrey (11th) & Gregory (6th) TaylorGiven by: Jo Ann & Gary Krafft, and Jennifer & Phil Bane

In memory of Tom Noble, grandfather of Alyssa (6) & Leah (9) AndreoneGiven by: The Kimmey Family

In memory of Loyce Goodwin, grandmother of Matthew (2011) and Megan (2008) GreenGiven by: Janet & John Hills, Ann & Mike Brown, Susan & Bobby Richardson,

Elaine & Scott Florey and Darla & Randy Childress

In memory of Jacqueline Moffitt, grandmother of Cole (2010) & Samantha (2006) LangleyGiven by: Darla & Randy Childress

In memory of Richard E. Hedges, great-grandfather of Caitlin (10th) & Cameron (8th) HuntGiven by: Dorothy Hedges

In memory of Olivia NolleyGiven by: Ashley & Jay Ferguson

In honor of Kelly HunterGiven by: Darla & Randy Childress

In honor of Bailey (11th) and Libby (8th) BarretGiven by: Monica & Mark Barret

In honor of Justin (2008) & Cameron (2011) BroderhausenGiven by: Anna & John Broderhausen

To send an Honoraria or Memorial, you can go to www.gracetyler.org or make checks to Grace Community Schooland send instructions to Grace Community School, 3025 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701

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Grace Community School . . . Influencing the World for Christ

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDTyler, TX

Permit No. 936

Grace Community School3001 University Boulevard • Tyler, TX 75701

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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5 Alumni Chapel 10:30am

10 Elementary Honors Chapel 8am

13 A Glimpse of Grace 10am - noon (For Prospective Families 6th-12th)

16 No School - Staff Development

21 Elementary Open House (For Prospective Families K4-5th)

26/27 Junior High Drama presents Annie 7pm

30 Parenting Principles with the Principals 6:30pm

4 High School Sadie Hawkins Dance

6 Parenting Series - Chris Legg 7pm

11 Acts of Grace Winter Show 7pm

14 Elementary Honors Chapel

17-20 Winter Break - No School

28 Little Bo Peep, 1st Grade 8am & 7pm

JANUARY

It’s Re-enrollment Timefor school year 2012-2013

Due by February 1stRe-enroll

beginning January 3rd

and avoid the rush!Go to gracetyler.org,

and click the RenWeb button.

For details or questions,please call Jo Ann Krafft at

903-566-5678, ext. 129

FEBRUARY

2 Dinner & Comedy - Michael, Jr. 6pm

5-9 Go Week - Grades 8th-12th Class Trips are Scheduled During this Week

12-16 Spring Break - No School

23 Grandparents’ Day: Lower Campus 8-10:30am, Upper Campus Noon-1pm

MARCH

CONTACT INFOLOWER CAMPUS:

3215 Old Jacksonville Road, Tyler, TX 75701(903) 593-1977

UPPER CAMPUS:3001 University Boulevard, Tyler, TX 75701

Jr. High: (903)566-5600 Sr. High: (903)566-5661www.gracetyler.org