Celebrating the Fruits of the Spirit at Trinity

by Pastor Tina

LOVE: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.” John 3.16

The greatest example we have of love in our lives is the love God shows to all of God’s children through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. At Trinity, we encourage students and staff to care for one another and show love to one another through acts of kindness and respect.  We seek to see others as God sees them, as beloved children with worth and value, who deserve dignity and appreciation because they are a part of God’s creation.

JOY: “Now Sarah said, ‘God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Genesis 21.6

We want joy to spread throughout every corner of our building at Trinity and be carried with our students and staff as they leave our doors and go out into the world.  We seek to share joy, by rejoicing with each other when something incredible happens, and we seek to live into joy, by appreciating every blessing God has given us, from the smallest of things like, a particularly awesome lunch packed by our parents, to the biggest of things like, having an amazing world to live in and appreciate.

PEACE:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14.27

A peaceful mind and heart is vital for our students and staff at Trinity, to be able to approach each day with a sense of calm and hope for whatever lies ahead.  We seek to encourage everyone to start the day with a sense of appreciation, as well as finding peace with each other through forgiveness, reconciliation, and kindness.  Ultimately, we want to trust that no matter what happens during our day, we are in God’s care and not alone.

PATIENCE:“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” Luke 2.25a, 26

Patience in a school and church setting is the ultimate blessing.  We know that not everything comes when we want it or how we want it, and so we sometimes have to wait and pause, trusting that in the midst of the waiting, God is present with us.  We encourage our students to be patient with each other when working together, when waiting in the hallways between classes, or during recess together when they’re taking turns on equipment.

KINDNESS: “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Luke 10.34

We encourage kindness during every part of our day at Trinity, from the moment students step on the sidewalk to the moment they exit our doors.  We encourage them to show each other respect and treat their fellow students with dignity and care. It can be something as simple as holding a door open for someone or helping someone with their homework.  As a school and church community, we want to take care of each other as best we can.

GOODNESS/GENEROSITY: “For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12.44

In everything we do, we seek to share with one another. We share our gifts, our talents, our time, our energy, everything which God has blessed us with, we seek to share in the world so that all those around us may be blessed as well.  We want our students and staff to see the gifts that they have and encourage them to share them with not only our school community, but with the world around them.

FAITHFULNESS:“Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1.16b

In all of our relationships, we provide a commitment to another person, a commitment to stand by their side, to be loyal to them, to encourage them, and to support them.  We want our students and staff to live into all of their relationships with loyalty and trust. We seek to encourage them to show faithfulness to who God has called us to be.  We want them to grow in faith in all aspects of their life; faith in themselves, faith in their friends, faith in their families, faith in their school community, and faith in God.

GENTLENESS: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” Psalm 23.1-3a

At Trinity, we seek to nurture the whole child, in all parts of their lives, which includes guiding them in ways that will allow them to be kind and generous members of society, people who appreciate those around them and show them care.  We talk about gentleness by talking about politeness, how we speak to others, how we treat them. We encourage an environment of respect and care, that takes everyone’s feelings into consideration.

SELF-CONTROL:“When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.” 1 Samuel 24.8b

We all know that we’re often encouraged in the world to do whatever it takes to get what we want.  At Trinity, we encourage our students to look at the world holistically, to see how their actions, their words, their wants impact the lives of those around them, and make decisions according to what is best for all, not just best for one person.  We encourage thoughtfulness and appreciation for how our actions and behaviors impact those around us.