Blog
Pastoral Message, November 2009
I love language and discovering the origins of peculiar words and phrases. Thinking about words reminds me of several things, such as Reader’s Digest quizzes, or the maddening, multiple-choice vocabulary questions on standardized tests. I asked myself which are my favorite words, and among the ones that came to mind were “hitherto” (which makes the speaker sound like someone on Masterpiece Theatre) and “pusillanimous” (which is delightful to stumble across in literature, but almost impossible to work into a conversation unless you’re Spiro Agnew.)
One word that always makes me smile is quotidian. According to the venerable Oxford English Dictionary, its first recorded usage dates back to 1340. It’s a Latin word meaning “things occurring on a daily basis” (quotus: things which occur; dies: day). It’s commonly used in medical language, referring to symptoms that occur on a regular basis. Despite its exotic appearance, it’s the basis for the French word daily, as in a “quotidien newspaper.”
I had, perhaps wrongly, assumed that quotidian was synonymous with the word mundane, since things that happen day after day are likely to be less interesting details of our life story. But the aspects of our faith that our quotidian are actually some of the most crucial parts of what we believe; so I fear I have been mis-characterizing this word all these years.
Reflect for a moment on the quotidian elements of your faith. It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “Thank you, God, for waking me up this morning.” Remembering the daily gift of life is a key part of faith. Saying grace over a meal may seem like a mundane daily ritual, yet it serves as a time to remember that we have blessings of food that so many others lack (and hopefully to pray that God and others will provide for them). Later this month, we’ll celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, which comes around each year with (what feels like) quotidian frequency. It’s also an opportunity to recall how God’s providential care is showered upon us daily.
November also is our month to emphasis Christian stewardship. In practical terms, this is more of a weekly, monthly, or annual event; but in regards to faith, it’s definitely a quotidian part of our life. Almost every day, we handle money and incur obligations that’re reflected in monetary amounts (e.g., rent, bills, etc.). What do your daily finances look like, and where is the presence of God reflected both in the money you earn and the money you spend? There are things on which we spend money that are purely for momentary pleasure, and things that are for our long-term health and security. The time and treasure we devote to God should not be calculated solely at the end of the day from whatever resources are leftover. Quotidian stewardship starts each day with God and consciously sets apart our “first fruits” and best resources for the Lord. The amount is secondary; the spirit of gratitude and generosity are what’s most important.
Think of your own favorite words and reflect on them in light of your ongoing faith in God revealed in Jesus Christ. Who knows, maybe this can be a daily, quotidian part of your Christian identity during this month’s Stewardship season!
Thanksgiving Break and More Hope Academy Schedule for Nov and Dec
Next week is Thanksgiving and then we launch into December and the end of the fall term… so a lot is happening at Hope Academy.
THANKSGIVING BREAK. No private lessons or classes from Sunday, Nov 22 to Monday, Nov 30. Please note: the building will be closed on Thursday, Nov 26; Friday, Nov 27; and Monday, Nov 30.
This Saturday, Nov 21 is picture day for dancers in PBT creative movement, pre-ballet and ballet. You will get a copies of your class pictures during open classes (when families and friends can come to observe) on Saturday, Dec 5, the final day of PBT dance classes for the fall term at Hope Academy.
EL CEO has two rehearsals before the winter concert. This week, Nov 21, and then Dec 5 (Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm). You will play the Mozart piece and Joy to the World (see the post below for a link to the new music). Your final session for the fall term will be Saturday, Dec 12.
Musical Theater and HAT Co also have two rehearsals before the winter concert.This week, Nov 21, and then Dec 5 during regular class time. See the post below for mp3s of songs you can practice with at home. Your final Saturday classes for the fall term will be Saturday, Dec 12. The winter term Saturday theater classes switch over from Musical Theater to Shakespeare Workshop (Saturday afternoons from 12 noon to 3:00 pm).
Voices of Hope Vocal and Percussion Ensembles have one rehearsal on Wednesday, Dec 3 before the winter concert. (The select choir will be asked to come to an extra rehearsal with HAT Co. on Saturday, Dec 5 — if they are available). Final Wednesday classes for the fall term are on December 9.
Winter Concert – EL CEO’s Music and Elder’s Mp3s
Joy to the World, Coventry Carol & Carol of the Bells, My Favorite Things and Don’t Stop Believing
Hope Academy’s Winter Concert will take place in the Sanctuary of East Liberty Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 6 at 3 pm (there will be an earlier rehearsal for some of the performers, but we will update you on this next week).
Students performing include those in Musical Theater Workshop, HAT Co, EL CEO, Voices of Hope (all Wednesday vocal groups), Ryan Socrates’ drumming ensemble, Anna Elder’s and Carly Riley’s private voice students, and a few other private instrument students (organ and violin). The dress code is all red on top and black on the bottom with black shoes. Girls may wear all red, if they would like.
The concert is only a few weeks away, so you should be practicing your songs and music at home. Here are some things to help you:
EL CEO
Music for Joy to the World (click for a pdf of music for all parts on scribd)
HAT Co, Musical Theater and Voices of Hope Select Choir
Sing-a-long with Anna Elder to learn your parts!
Coventry Carol & Carol of the Bells
My Favorite Things
Don’t Stop Believing
FREE Squonk Opera Performances Nov 20 & 21 You Can Be a Squonker, Too!
Squonk Opera’s Mostly Mayhem in Workshop
Fri. November 20 and Sat. November 21 @ 8 pm
on Penn Avenue across the street from East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Hope Academy students and their families are invited to a behind the scenes look at the making of a new show, Mostly Mayhem, by Squonk Opera. With ten new songs in the works, the Squonkers are eager for feedback leading up to their World Premiere in March 2010. This is all part of Squonk Opera’s year in residency at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. Following each FREE show will be a talkback with the audience and the company.
We will get to know some of the folks at Squonk Opera better during our winter term when they join us on Wednesdays after school to work with us on an animation and music project. This weekend’s workshop will be your introduction to them and their work, and your chance to be part of their creative process… yes, you can be a Squonker too!
While there is no way to describe Squonk Opera in words, this video should give you some idea of what to expect; and as you can see, what you can expect is the unexpected.
FREE Percussion ConcertBernard Woma with Devin Flynt’s Ensemble
Internationally renowned Ghanaian xylophonist and drummer, Bernard Woma, will be featured as a soloist in a concert with the Duquesne University Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Hope Academy teaching artist, Devin Flynt, on Monday, Nov 23 at 8:00 pm in room 322 of the Mary Pappert School of Music. The concert is FREE and open to the public. Devin Flynt suggests that all of his percussion students attend! For directions to Duquesne University and a campus map, showing the Mary Pappert School of Music, click here.
Hope Academy Dance Teacher Michael WalshPerforming This Weekend
Alloy on Alloy! @ Dance Alloy Theater
The 2nd installment of dancer-as-choreographer
featuring Hope Academy dance teacher, Michael Walsh
Friday, Nov 20 and Saturday, Nov 21 @ 7:00 pm
In his piece, Post It, Michael Walsh finds beautiful movements in the most mundane of activities. Filled with repetition, intense eye contact, and actual post-it notes, the work is engaging in its familiarity. Michael Walsh is also dancing in Michael Bandy’s piece, entitled When You’re Not Strong. Inspired by the talents and real-life working relationship of Maribeth Maxa and Michael Walsh, it is a highly physical duet in which the dancers demonstrate various nonverbal communications, all the way from subtle glances to intimate balancing acts.
(Pictured above, L-R) Christopher Bandy and Michael Walsh
Tickets are $10 each
Seating is limited, call now to reserve your ticket: 412-363-4321
A Bug and a Wish, a Walk and a Wave Keeping the Peace at Hope Academy
If you’ve heard your children talking about “bugs” and “wishes” and are wondering what that’s all about, this posting will give you the details about a conflict resolution technique that we use at Hope Academy called A Bug and a Wish, a Walk and a Wave. Click on “Read More” for the whole story.
A Bug and a Wish, a Walk and a Wave…
Last summer I spent some time observing a neighbor babysitting her 4- and 5-year-old grandchildren. They were instructed to go outside together and “play nice.” This lasted all of about 10 minutes before some confrontation or another erupted, usually having to do with whose turn it was to ride in the motorized Escalade (and for how long). Name-calling ensued and then fists, hair pulling, crying and screaming. The grandmother would come out and give them a warning: either take turns and share, or come inside for a time-out. Of course it wasn’t long before there was another argument and the boys were yanked into the house, because they were being “bad.”
As the summer wore on, and I wore out listening to the yelling and screaming next door, I thought about our students at Hope Academy and how important it is to give them actual strategies and techniques for working together and solving their inevitable conflicts. So many adults (parents, grandparents, teachers) seem to expect kids to do the very thing that they themselves have difficulty doing — getting along and playing nice — without ever actually teaching them how to do it.
So I started asking people who work with children for advice. We needed something simple enough that even the younger kids could handle it; a way to attempt to solve the problem on their own first, but also a way to know when to ask an adult for help. One answer, in particular intrigued me. It’s called “A Bug and a Wish” and it goes like this:
If you are bothered or hurt by the words or actions of another person, you need to go to that person and ask them if you can give them a bug and a wish (“May I give you a bug and a wish?”). The other person must agree to receive the bug and wish. (“Yes, you may give me a bug and a wish”). The person who is offended says, “It bugs me when you…” and “I wish that you would…” For example, “It bugs me when you kick my chair and I wish that you would keep your feet away from me.” This should be said without emotion (matter-of-factly), making sure that there is a solution offered. It’s simple, makes sense and is easy to remember. In most cases it has been a way for the kids to resolve problems on their own, and to feel proud of their negotiation skills. They are starting to learn that they can talk to people rather than about them, and that “bugs” can be balanced by “wishes” to resolve problems.
Sometimes, however, the bug and a wish method isn’t enough. So we’ve added “a walk and a wave” and it goes like this. If the person bugging you doesn’t stop, then walk away. Ignoring the behavior might just do the trick. If this still doesn’t stop the behavior, wave both hands in the air above your head (this is our international sign for “I don’t feel safe”) and an adult will intervene. We talk a lot about creating a safe environment so the kids understand that it is important to let someone know immediately if they don’t feel safe, for any reason. And they should feel that it is OK to trust their instincts and go directly to the wave if they need to.
So there you have it, our “a bug and a wish, a walk and a wave” method for conflict resolution. Now you’ll know what your kids are talking about, and maybe you can try it at home with the rest of your family. The teenagers are working with a more in-depth conflict resolution technique, but I’ll write a separate post on that over the Thanksgiving break. Have a great, conflict-free holiday!
This Week at Hope Academy PSO Concert and EL CEO Performance
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Resident Conductor, Lawrence Loh, will conduct a string orchestra from the PSO this Saturday at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door) for adults; and $5 for students and seniors. It will be a great concert featuring music by Bach, Grieg and Mozart in ELPC’s beautiful sanctuary (see the event listing to the right for a map and directions to ELPC)
A free pre-concert student recital will take place from 6:00-6:45 pm, featuring students from Dilworth Elementary’s World Drummers, CAPA’s Brass Ensembles and Hope Academy’s new East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra (EL CEO); then a post-concert celebration featuring International Baccalaureate’s Steel Drummers and a bake sale from 8:30-9:00
For information call Norma Meyer at 412-441-3800 x11.
BAKE SALE DONATIONS WANTED! If you would like to help support music education programs for students in the East Liberty community (at Dilworth, International Baccalaureate, CAPA Middle School and Hope Academy of Music and the Arts) please consider donating baked goods for the bake sale following the PSO concert. Your donations can be dropped off at the Highland Avenue hospitality desk on Saturday, November 14.
BACH, MOZART AND GRIEG The Saturday, Nov 14 PSO Program
Here is the program for this Saturday’s PSO Community Engagement Concert:
DVARD GRIEG Holberg Suite, Op. 40
- I. Prelude
- IV. Air
- V. Rigaudon
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Concerto in C minor for Oboe, Violin
and String Orchestra, BWV 1060
- I. Allegro
- II. Adagio
- III. Allegro
WOLFGANG AMADÉUS MOZART Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 186a [201]
- I. Allegro moderato
- II. Andante
- III. Menuetto
- IV. Allegro con spirito