Oct 01

A Time For Everything

Earlier today, I attended a Tree Planting Ceremony and participated in an Asthma Walk in memory of Kennady Clarke. Kennady was a grade 5 student from St. Joseph School who passed away late this summer. It was a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony and served to celebrate her life. As part of the ceremony, the verse A Time for Everything from Ecclesiastes 3 was read:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

A time to be born and a time to die,

A time to plant and a time to uproot,

A time to kill and a time to heal,

A time to tear down and a time to build,

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

A time to search and a time to give up,

A time to keep and a time to throw away,

A time to tear and a time to mend,

A time to be silent and a time to speak,

A time to love and a time to hate,

A time for war and a time for peace.

We do not know the time of the Lord and often do not understand where, or when, or why, or how. But we learn to trust in the Lord and we walk together as a faith community in our grief and our joy. We continue to pray for the Clarke family and ask that comfort and peace be cast upon them. We pray that strength, wisdom and compassion be granted to the entire community of St. Joseph. And we pray for the soul of Kennady, giving thanks for the gift of her life and the joy she brought to this world.

May God Bless You All!

 

Chris Smeaton

After nearly a 35 year career in education, I retired as the Superintendent of Schools in January 2020. While in the role as superintendent, I sat on two national committees, ERDI and C21 and also was an adjunct professor for Gonzaga University. I now work as a leadership consultant supporting the work of school boards, system and school leaders.

6 Comments

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    • Michaela Dyck on October 1, 2014 at 3:50 PM
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    It was a very touching ceremony, I was very honored to attend. I will be keeping her family in my prayers.

    1. Thanks Michaela for your comments and continued prayers. I know the Clarke family will certainly be appreciative.

    • Valeria Lazzaretto on October 1, 2014 at 8:08 PM
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    A beautiful tribute, Chris. The Clarke family and the school community will certainly need the strength our prayers can offer.

    1. Thanks Val!

    • Manon on October 2, 2014 at 9:50 AM
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    Thank you for sharing this with us Mr. Smeaton, we will continue to keep the Clarke family in our prayers.

    1. Thanks Manon! The beauty of being part of a faith community is that prayers are part of our daily practice.

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