Happy December, Harbor Light Christian School families!

Each Christmas, I try to find a gift for the amazing HLCS staff to show my appreciation for their service and bless them with something that helps get our school’s name and logo in the community. One year I got personalized tumblers, and another, a sports blanket. This year, with so many new faces rounding out our staff, I wanted to get everyone a staple item. I opted for a hooded sweatshirt with the logo and wording: “Harbor Light Christian School Teacher” or “Harbor Light Christian School Staff.” As I took time to pass out the sweatshirts, I was blessed as I reflected on what an honor it is to put on such a sweatshirt. It is an acknowledgment that each staff member is committed to being a part of something much bigger than him or herself. It means joining the ranks of the loyal and faithful staff who have previously served, sacrificed, prayed, and walked these halls; men and women like Debbie Ledingham, Pat Wendt, Clark and Heidi Hewitt, Kathy James, and Gary Urman, just to name a few who came before us. It was a humbling and sober thought, earned by the staff serving throughout the school now. In my final letter of 2022, I want to take a moment to share what I’ve learned about being a staff member during my three and a half years at Harbor Light Christian School.

Whether serving as a teacher, office staff member, or student aid at HLCS, I’ve noticed some common characteristics, attributes, and behaviors that bind us together.

First, the staff prays. They pray a lot. They pray daily. They pray with and for our students and each other. Two mornings a week, the staff meets to spend time in the word and pray in small groups over each other. This time together yields fruit and favor and reminds them they are part of a team, a family. When days start centered on the most important thing, God helps smooth paths ahead and provides peace for the storms to come.

Second, staff members fight for the hearts and minds of the students. Teachers are not here to simply get through the day or to impart knowledge to our students. They are here to connect, guide, love, and call students to a higher standard when they are not the best version of themselves.

Third, the staff puts others ahead of themselves. They live out the ideas in Matthew 20:28, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Staff members pour out their lives for their students, families, and this school in big and small ways. The staff places eternal value over earthly comfort as they serve.

Fourth, the staff gets to function as part of the body of Christ. HLCS staff members have many different gifts and talents. Some teachers are ideally suited for our youngest learners, while others thrive working with high schoolers. God has placed each staff person in their role and uses their talents to build up the body of believers. And the staff members often don’t seek individual attention or praise; instead, they work to turn praise and honor to our father in heaven.

Finally, a little over a year ago, I gave a short speech at a fundraiser and shared my observation that I still believe to be true today: Harbor Light Christian School has the most loving teachers in the state of Michigan. They stand head and shoulders above the rest when walking in love.

While this description is a pretty high standard to keep, it is true. But, we fall short… we fail, we fall, and have to stand up again. We fight for unity and forgiveness. The final attribute of an HLCS staff member is a willingness to be wrapped in humility. To humble oneself and be willing to admit when we are wrong, to understand that we will continually fail and fall short in our power and might. This humility points to the fact that we need Jesus, and we need each other. We are willing to stand in the gap for one another, to call each other to a higher standard, and to believe the best in each other. Thank you to all of you who actively pray for this ministry and our staff. It is your intentional prayers that make this all possible.

So this Christmas, one of the greatest gifts I have been given is the honor to wear a sweatshirt that identifies my place on the staff of Harbor Light Christian School—belonging to a group of brothers and sisters in Christ who walk alongside one another to carry out the mission of this special school family.

In Christ,

Kelly Dutcher

• Please confirm events prior to attending
• "vs." indicates the game will be played at home.
• "@" indicates the game will be played at the opposing team's school.

December

20- Varsity Girls Basketball @ Pellston (6 pm)

22- Varsity Basketball vs. Atlanta (Girls 5:30 pm, Boys 7 pm)

January

3- Boys Basketball @ Brimley (5:45 pm)

5- Boys Basketball vs. NMCA (5:30 pm)

6- Girls Basketball vs. NMCA (5:30 pm)

9- JV Basketball @ Vanderbilt (Boys 5:30 pm, Girls 7 pm)

12- Boys Basketball @ Alanson (5:30 pm)

13- Girls Basketball @ Alanson (5:30 pm)

16- Girls Basketball vs. Mackinaw City (5:30 pm)

17- Varsity Basketball @ Maplewood (Girls 5:30 pm, Boys 7 pm)

19- Varsity Basketball vs. Heritage Christian (Girls 5 pm, Boys 6:30 pm)

20- JV/Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Pellston (5:30 pm)

23- Girls Basketball @ Alba (5:30 pm)

24- Varsity Basketball vs. TCBAA (Girls 6 pm, Boys 7:30 pm)

26- Girls Basketball @ Ellsworth (5:30 pm)

27- Boys Basketball @ Ellsworth (5:30 pm)

30- Girls Basketball vs. Wolverine (5:30 pm)

31- Boys Basketball vs. Wolverine (5:30 pm)

Please click HERE for the school calendar which is updated as needed.

This month's review is from our Guidance Counselor, Erin Barnes, mom of 5th grader Addison.

This past summer I was fortunate to attend the Great Lakes Symposium on Christian Worldview, a Colson Center event. One of the speakers, Brett Kunkle, mentioned a ministry he had founded, called Maven.

This ministry birthed a podcast that exists to equip parents to navigate the journey of parenting children within our current culture. Brett brings the experience of being a father, youth pastor, and author and combines it with his knowledge of apologetics, culture, Christian education, and philosophy. His wife brings her knowledge of parenting, homeschooling, ministry, and sociology. Together they bring their marriage to the microphone to tackle the HUGE issues we are all facing in today's world as we attempt to parent our children to the best of our ability.

They have a light, playful banter as a couple, but bring reverence to the topics we are facing every day. Topics range from picky eating and chores to heavier topics such as gender ideology, biblical identity, and anxiety.

I have really enjoyed listening to this couple and hope you will too!

Meemic is an insurance agency for educators and staff, and they also have the Meemic Foundation Club, open to Current employees of a qualified educational institution that is physically located and operating in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan or Wisconsin.

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) involves youth as decision makers and leaders in the community, promotes positive youth development, and involves youth in philanthropy and volunteerism. YAC participants act as advisors to the Fund for Youth and twice per year review grant applications and recommend grant awards to benefit young people and families in Emmet County.

The day we have all been waiting for is almost here! The walking track is laid, the elevator is in, the classrooms are having final touches done, and the kitchen is being finished. We are ready for final inspections this week!

231-347-7859 to schedule a time, or just stop over!

Have any leads? Contact Jennie Cope at jcope@harborlight.org.