How do we show Compassion?

On March the 19th, Comic Relief Day raised a staggering £42,790,147, with yet more to add. Money raised by Red Nose Day this year will support people in the UK and around the world to live free from poverty, violence and discrimination, and support people with their mental health. Some of the money will also go to organisations providing essential support for people in Ukraine and supporting Comic Relief’s funding to help refugees in other parts of the world.

Jesus taught about compassion in many ways; through his stories, like the Kind Stranger, and actions like performing the miracle of feeding the huge crowds (5000) during ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ from just five loaves and two fish.

Here is a short film that retells the Gospel;

Our Simply Worship material focuses this week, on food that Jesus, too, would have most likely eaten. He grew up in a Jewish home, with Jewish traditions. The story of Moses leading the Hebrew tribes to freedom, would have been one He knew well, as sell as his disciples. The Last Supper was shared at the time of Passover, the Jewish celebration of this liberation and the proof that they were God’s People.

Jewish people all over the world continue to celebrate Passover or Pesach, with a feast very similar to the one Jesus shared 2000 years ago, from the 15th April.

Children will be invited to pray or reflect upon those festivals and important occasions that help us to remember the past, so they can begin to understand that many of the traditions, actions and beliefs that we have are linked to people, stories and events in history.

Perhaps, you might like to join your children in thinking about how our past can inform how we act today and in the future.

The materials can be read here;

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KS1 assembly

Father Goddard came into school to tell us a story linked to this terms value ‘compassion.’

We enjoyed learning a new song and we finished with time for reflection.

Life in us all!

Compassion

As we all have the right to live in a place that helps us grow mentally, physically and spiritually, it makes sense to see that this means everyone. Young and old, neighbours and strangers. This week’s Christian Value of Compassion focuses on the care and attention we show towards our elders, our grandparents, and neigbours, our mothers and fathers. The smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference. It might be Mother’s Day this coming weekend, but we can still show our love for all our family and neighbours, in some way. It may be that you are showing your care for people across the seas in other countries, you may even welcome them into your home, as they flee war.

The Bible is full of lessons, stories and examples of compassion towards others. In Ruth, we might see that compassion goes beyond a person’s religion or traditions, the story of Ruth and Naomi is but one example and can be found in the Old Testament. This means that Jesus would have grown up knowing this story, and as we know He taught people of the importance of compassion with the story of the Kind Stranger (Good Samaritan) You can see a re-telling of the story of Ruth and Naomi here.

We know that life isn’t always easy, and sometimes it is tough to do the right thing, we need friendship and courage to help us in comapssionate acts, going against the grain, making difficult decisions, but knowing that it is the right thing to do, Justice prevails-this means it is strong and right!

Again, the Bible shows us the strength that can be found in knowing you are doing the right and compassionate thing for others, as the example of Moses continues to illustrate. Simply Worship this week , continues with the story of Moses and you can read it here.

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Bouncing and Spring!

You may recognise this charater, from the Disney version of Winnie the Pooh. Tigger is the sort of character that seems full of energy and enthusiasm. ‘Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!’ as he sings in the film.

He isn’t the only one that has this level of enthusiasm, and we all have someone in our lives who we could describe as a ‘Tigger-type’. But what if you don’t feel that bouncy, some days seem to be heavy upon us and fun and laughter seem a long way away. How do you ‘bounce back’ whan things are going your way?

It might be that a compassionate friend is able to help you, and remind you af the good things in life. For a Christian, God and Jesus are there, to walk alongside you, and knowing that alone can be of tremendous support.

Often, focusing on something simple outside of your self, like a bird singing or a blackthorn tree in full blossom, perhaps even the sight of the Moon or Sun in the sky, or even a hug or a bar of chocolate, can bring us back up out of the sad times. We all need someone and knowing that helps us remember to reach out to others.

Sometimes, a show of compassion from another is all it takes. Sometimes we need more, and the compassion of a professional counsellor is what will help. ‘Childline’ offer this free of charge to any young person who is able to get in touch. For their support, you can find out more here;

https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/

This ability to ‘bounce back’ also known as ‘resilience’ is a strength that humans have discovered in themselves over thousands of years. The story of Moses in the Old Testament of the Bible is just one example. This week’s Simply Worship, exploring Moses can be read here;

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You Reap What you Sow

Many rugby fans will be aware that we are in the midst of the Six Nations Rugby Tournament, the next match is this coming Friday between Wales and France. You don’t have to be a rugby, or even sports fan to recognise the amount of training and effort that goes into becoming a successful athlete. It takes a lot of planning and time to develop the skills required to perform, and this includes your rest and food, as well as training.

It is now the first weeks of spring, and any gardener knows that it is time to start planning what you want to enjoy in the summer months, this could be flowers or fruist and vegetables. Now is the time to prepare the soil, buy the seeds and plan your garden plots.

It all takes time and thought to get these things right.

‘Reap’ is an old word that means harvest, and in the harvest we see the results of our careful planning and focus. We can benefit in the future as a result of the choices we make now, in the garden or on the sports field.

Can you think of something that you benfit from now, that is as a result of your hard work? It could be to do with training for a sport, or learning your times tables or practising your handwriting.

If someone is struggling with things in their lives, we may be able to help them. Christians believe that it is by turning to God that they find the support to make the right choices, and find courage. It is out of compassion that we reach out and help others who struggle.

This week’s Christian Value focus is the poem ‘Footprints in the Sand’ which is based on Deuteronomy 1:30-31. This says that God is always with us. You can read the poem here;

https://www.onlythebible.com/Poems/Footprints-in-the-Sand-Poem.html

Our Simply Worship theme is based on the idea of training for Rugby and you can read it here;

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Conflict in Ukraine- Compassion

Year 3 and 4 were given a safe space to discuss Articles 22 and 38 (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) today, in relation to the current conflict in Ukraine and Russia. We watched a Newsround report about what is happening in those countries and why it is happening. We talked about what it means to be a refugee and how this would feel for the children in those positions in both countries and surrounding areas. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/news/watch_newsround

 The children were given the chance to ask questions and in Year 4 we wrote messages of hope to the children around the world who are affected by war. 

We read the story Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour which helped us to think about hope and compassion (the Christian Value for this half term) for other people. 

St Michael’s would love to do some fund raising over the next few weeks to support UNICEF and their work in helping people affected by war. We will keep you posted about this when we have more details. 

The Kind Stranger

Today Father Mark led our worship. We focused on the story of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help a stranger when others walked by, leaving him badly hurt. He showed compassion.

Our Christian value this term is Compassion. We showed our compassion to those in Ukraine by saying a prayer for them, led by Father Mark.

Compassion

As we watch in deep sadness as the events in Ukraine unfold, we struggle to think of how we can help.

The key story for our Christian Value of Compassion, is the Kind Stranger, the parable of the Good Samaritan. You may already being sharing aid , but you may like to contribute through the British Red Cross here; https://www.redcross.org.uk/

May we stretch out a hand of friendship and compassion to the people of Ukraine, through prayer.

As a school we will join with Father Robert Bishop of Exeter, in prayer on Ash Wednesday. This term’s Christian Value is Compasssion, here is where we show that value. This is needed more that ever before.

We share these prayers with you, and plan to be saying a children’s version in school at 2:45pm with Father Mark.

Loving God,

We pray for the people of Ukraine,for all those suffering or afraid,that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis,we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world.

Amen.

As we pray for the people fleeing the fighting and violence we will be thinking about how the Tribes of Israel fled the tyrany of the Pharoh. As Moses led his people to freedom, we pray too that Volodymyr Zelensky may be safe in leading his people back to freedom and democracy.

May Peace Prevail.

You can view the Simply Worship material here;

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