February 2023 Ten Ten Resources Parent Newsletter

We begin February with the official end of Christmastide and a welcome theme of light. Just as the evenings and mornings are beginning to show signs of brightening, Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on 2nd February, celebrates Jesus, the Light of the World.

In recent months, price rises have brought the cost of light and heating sharply into focus. Perhaps we’ve been a little more careful with our energy usage; switching off lights when leaving a room, being mindful of saving the planet and our pennies etc.

Light and salt were high-value commodities in ancient cultures, and Jesus uses these metaphors to describe the real value of our contributions to the Christian way of life. Towards the end of February, we begin the season of Lent, another opportunity to focus on our mission as followers of Jesus. By placing Jesus at the centre of our lives, we can be the valuable lights we are called to be, reflecting God’s light of love through our actions.

This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school throughout February and suggests ways for you to engage with them about it.

Messages from Matthew

The first week of February sees the end of our three-week mini-series ‘Messages from Matthew’ in which the Gospel writer presents children with some of Jesus’ most powerful teaching: the Beatitudes and the call to follow Him. In this final assembly, children are encouraged to let their light shine!

Through a description of the moon which has no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun, and the real-life story of Eric Liddell, the Olympic athlete who famously put God first, children are invited to consider how they can use their own gifts and talents to do good and reflect God’s light of love in the world.

You might like to watch the film about Eric Liddell with your child/ren:.

Why not…

Take time to talk to your child/ren about their unique gifts, talents and activities that they enjoy. Discuss how they could use them to shine God’s light of love in the world.

Read Matthew’s letter based on the Gospel (Matthew 5:13-16) with your child/ren, and discuss ways in which shining their own light can inspire and encourage others to do the same.

Paraphrased Gospel Matthew 5:13-16

Dear friends,

Jesus teaches us so much about how to follow Him and what our purpose is.

Today Jesus told us, “You are the light of the world! Like a city on top of a hill, you cannot be hidden. I want you to shine your light. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. No! You put the lamp on display so everyone in the house can see its light. So, like the lamp and the city on a hill – let your light shine. Show your good deeds to others so that they can see and give praise to God in heaven.”

That’s all for now,

Matthew

Pray together using this prayer from the assembly:

Dear Jesus, You are the light of the world. Thank you for showing me your light through your love for me. Help me shine your light through my gifts and talents, so others can see your love too. Amen

Jesus, Be The Centre

The song ‘Jesus, Be The Centre’ by Michael Frye (Vineyard Worship) is the theme for the assemblies throughout Lent.

The first of this series looks towards Jesus, our hope, and invites Him to be at the centre of our lives and our Lenten journey. Through a game about spring cleaning, children learn that now is the time for a fresh start in our relationship with God.

Children are also introduced to the words GIVE, ACT and PRAY as ways we can focus our attention on God and renew our commitment to the way God wants us to live.

In the Gospel, Jesus showed us that as we GIVE, ACT and PRAY, we should not be the focus, expecting praise from others for our good deeds. Instead, we should make Jesus the centre of all that we say and do!

If you want to find out more about our Lent theme, and where Lent fits within the Church Liturgical Year, you might like to read the Hub article ‘Looking Ahead to Lent.’

Why not…

Listen to the Lent song ‘Jesus, Be The Centre’ (https://vineyardsongs.com/songs/be-the-centre/) together with your child/ren, and discuss what the different lyrics mean, e.g. Be my path, guide, vision, source, wind in my sails, fire in my heart etc.

Take time to talk to your child/ren about Lent and discuss ways you can commit as a family to GIVE, ACT and PRAY. It’s important to make these commitments meaningful yet manageable, so activities can be kept very simple, for example:

• Having a family clear out and donating items to a charity shop.
• Making a point of modelling politeness and good manners to each other
• Discussing ways to practise self-control, talk about feelings and avoid arguments.
• Committing to 5 minutes of family prayer time each day, e.g. saying thanks to God at meal times. Perhaps each member of the family could take a turn.

Discuss how the words GIVE, ACT and PRAY correspond to the Church’s three pillars of Lent: almsgiving, fasting and prayer. Note that children are not asked to ‘fast’ from food during Lent, so any discussion of this needs to be sensitively articulated.

Prayer

Lent is a good opportunity, especially with older children, to think about behaviours that get in the way of our friendship with God.

In the first week of Lent, the daily prayers ‘A Pure Heart’ help children learn that it’s important to reflect on how we treat other people and say sorry for times when we have caused hurt or upset. Saying sorry can be hard, but when God forgives us, our sin is washed away.

The following prayer, known as the ‘Sorry Prayer’ or ‘Act of Contrition’, is one that is familiar to Key Stage 2 children. It’s a prayer to say sorry and ask for God’s help in the future.

O my God,

Because you are so good

I am very sorry that I have sinned against you,

and by the help of your holy grace,

I will not sin again.

Amen

Here is another prayer that you might like to use in family prayer times during Lent. It includes those Lenten practices GIVE, ACT, and PRAY and encourages us to remember to place Jesus at the centre of all we say and do:

Jesus,

Be the centre.

As I start my journey through Lent,

I welcome you into my heart.

Be my guide as I GIVE to others.

Be my strength as I ACT by making good choices.

Be my friend as I PRAY and get to know you more.

Amen