NOTES FROM MR. NATERMAN- The Middle School Retreat was an overwhelming success as students and faculty enjoyed two days of fun, fellowship and team building. The theme of "Unity" was explored as Brandon Geary, pastor of Merge Community Church, challenged our students to demonstrate unity through loving one another. LOVE=UNITY was the ultimate formula taken from our time of study, and will continue to be revisited during Bible classes in the coming weeks.

Our team building activities were facilitated by Adventure Texas, and allowed students to work together to solve challenges. The conclusion that teamwork produced far better results than individual attempts furthered our message of unity. The retreat finale was an amazing performance by illusionist, David Knight who demonstrated that things are not always what they appear. The idea that love and unity, presented in a secular fashion, differs greatly from God's calling in our lives will also be explored in the coming weeks of Bible class. The unforgettable images of the performance will undoubtedly serve as effective illustrations for further discussion.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers concerning the spiritual growth of our middle school students. We also encourage you to dialogue with your child about the topics presented at the retreat and we look forward to what God has in store for our students as we move forward.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:12-14