Posts Tagged "Support"
A Proper Ordering of Your Loves
March 27, 2025
Our thoughts are powerful. A thought about a situation can determine our attitude, which can influence our entire day. I often say with our thoughts, we find what we are looking for. The Bible has a lot to say about our thoughts; and our thoughts greatly influence our perspective. Over the last 15 years, while working as a social worker in a variety of capacities, I have interacted with lots of different people on both an individual and relational level. And God is a relational God. One of the key metanarratives of scripture is God’s deep love for us.
I attended Christian Heritage in High School. I remember a moment in my room (the most sacred space for any teenager). I was feeling overwhelmed by some social situations. So, I got on my knees and prayed a simple prayer; “God, re-order my loves”. I have come back to that prayer many times. When I am overwhelmed by a situation or a relationship, I can center my thoughts and ask God to “re-order my loves” so that, out of an overflow of love for God, I can understand my identity and security in Christ and love others. First, we must love the Lord and out of that love for God we have a correct ordering or view of ourselves and others. Relationships with others are so important but they cannot be more important than our relationship with God and, without a proper ordering, we will look to others to fulfill and satisfy only what God can.
The question is “How do we practically do this through the counseling office at Christian Heritage School?”
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In lower school, I have been facilitating small groups. All lower school students will participate in a group. From kindergarten to second grade, we focus on “Getting Along in School.” These groups include three sessions: Following Group Rules, Playing Well With Others and Listening To Others. We talk about the importance of rules and practice treating others with kindness and respect. Students learn and discuss skills in playing well with others; that friends can be like traffic lights and send off signals when feeling happy, sad or mad. We also talk about listening and the importance of listening to others. The third to fifth grade students engage in groups about Friendship. In the small group sessions we talk about friendship qualities; what makes a good friend, qualities the students already have and qualities each would like to work on. We talk about communication in friendship and, through role-play, practice verbal and non-verbal communication skills. We also talk about how to solve friendship problems. Within our group discussions and learning we highlight the greatest commandment outlined in Matthew 22:37, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” The ordering of these loves is crucial. It has been a joy to work with the lower school groups; students are excited to attend groups and participate.
As you may suspect, counseling looks a little different for Upper School students. I have had the opportunity to work with several different faculty to build what different levels of school counseling support could look like, from brief check-ins with students to brainstorming what small groups could look like as well as professional development opportunities from a social and emotional perspective.
I am excited about this opportunity at Christian Heritage. My prayer is that I can come alongside students and faculty members and continue to equip and strengthen all the good that is already taking place here, and keep Christ at the forefront of everything we do.
Katy Culbertson is the school counselor at CHS. She holds a BSW (Bachelors in Social Work) from Gordon College and a MSW (Masters of Social Work) from Southern Connecticut State University. She is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in the State of Connecticut. She has 15 years of experience in the Social Work field working with children and families.
The Most Beautiful Things You Will Never See
October 30, 2023
These are the most beautiful things you will never see!
These are pictures of just a portion of the new HVAC systems installed over the past couple years. At over $1 million, what an awesome display of God’s people investing in a better future for the ministry and mission of Christian Heritage School.
There is this great image painted for us in Deuteronomy 6 just before the nation of Israel is to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. God gives this word.
"It shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to give your fathers . . . to give you a land with great and splendid cities which you did not build and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn wells which you did not dig and vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant”
When we stop and look around us, literally everything here at CHS is here because someone gave, built or donated. Given, sometimes at great sacrifice, always with a yearning to see what we witness every day. Children, families, and teachers working and learning together were on their minds and hearts when they gave their prayerful support and generous donations. They earnestly anticipated the impact for Christ through the mission of Christian Heritage School and did it all with gratitude.
The core values on which this place was built change lives and matter for eternity. Values like an unshakeable faith in God built on a foundation of prayer, a firm adherence to His Word and a deep love for kids. There is a passion for this biblically based education secured by a sacred partnership with the home and church. And, there is a pursuit of excellence, all of it delivered by gifted and godly teachers in a culture that sadly does not often value these things.
As CHS begins its 47th year, it has been and continues to be my greatest joy to serve in various roles alongside incredibly talented teachers and other professionals as we take on this important purpose.
In my role in development, I speak with parents, former parents and grandparents of CHS graduates, alumni and friends of CHS. I will sometimes ask, “Why continue to be interested in us? Why support the CHS mission? Your generosity is an obvious sign of support meant to encourage and strengthen what is done here. Why do you continue giving money to CHS, year after year?"
Their responses reference a few common themes:
- It’s our children, and our children’s children. It’s our responsibility, our greatest joy and treasure to support a Godly heritage moving on through our legacy.
- It is our call and duty to our world. It does not get any more important than this; together we raise up Christian scholars in a world that desperately needs people sharing the love of Jesus Christ in action and in truth.
- Because we are grateful. We experience the unique and personal touch of Godly teachers who model daily an intimate relationship with, and love for, Jesus Christ. Our children certainly learn to read and write and compete academically. That is not unimportant, but it isn’t the full answer. These teachers walk daily with the Lord and then teach children that the Bible is the Living Word of God. We are grateful for that blessing.
It is a privilege to take every opportunity to support the mission and ministry of this special place. Please take a moment to reflect and share a gift that will literally touch lives for eternity.
God bless you.
Bruce Stempien is the Director of Advancement. Bruce has been active at CHS in a variety of roles through their 45+ year history. In the ‘80s, he set up the framework for the new high school and worked part time with college admissions for CHS graduating classes through the ‘90s. In 2007, he assumed the role of Upper School Principal for 6 years and, in 2013, became the Director of Advancement. As a team, Bruce and and his wife, Dianne, were involved in school musicals and a student singing group named Greater Love. They enjoyed the experience as parents of a son and a daughter who attended CHS from Kindergarten through 12th grade. They currently attend New Life Church.