The longer I spend time at Westlake, the more I find myself delighted by the fabric of the culture here. I once heard someone describe communion not only as the sacramental offering we take at church, but as the living, breathing moments that we take on the persona of Christ, and join one another in community. I remember thinking how beautiful it is when we see this happen, and as a teacher at Westlake … I have the privilege of seeing “communion” quite often.
When students share in comforting one another during a hard time, there is communion. When kids stop and pray with one another, there is communion. Where you see someone stand up and hold a friend accountable, there is communion. I would argue that there are more situational instances of authentic communion here that happen on a daily basis, than even many surrounding churches can boast. What a blessing to know that our children are exposed to this constant form of fellowship, connection, and empathy.
While I wish I could personally deliver the dozens of stories I’ve witnessed already this year, time and space just won’t allow for that. However, one of my favorite examples of communion happened last week … in the setting of indoor recess. It wasn’t my week to have recess duty, but I was passing by, and thought I’d take a moment to see the kids in their “natural element” – play! Instead of seeing the normal chaos of balls bouncing and feet pounding a running rhythm into the floorboards, I saw a HUGE group of multiage kids sitting on the stage in rapt contemplation of the project before them.
Our sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Coombe, had decided to pass on the life-skill of patience, creativity, and perseverance discovered in the form of CROCHET! There were fourth, fifth, and sixth graders “strung” about her, leaning in with intense admiration and focus on the steps she was teaching. Having given each of them a crochet hook and ball of yarn to work with, the students yearned for indoor recess just to continue practicing their craft. Blending steps and stitches, Mrs. Coombe had each child working independently on their own piece within two days time.
Mitch Albom once said, “Devote yourself to your community around you. Devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Mrs. Coombe did that. She literally threaded communion among these children and gave them a common experience to learn, to enjoy, and to share. What a true and perfect gift … to teach, to love, to grow in community.
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