The First Day School’s Corner of the World: July 2021

By Charlotta Koppanyi

The picture is of stones, pebbles, from my trip to Costa Rica ten years ago. It was the floor of the outdoor shower at the retreat where I stayed. Soft, rounded stones, that had been touching other stones for hundreds, if not thousands, of years; that had been warmed in the sun, wet in the monsoon rains, had been the stable, and yet, wobbly floor to the numerous people who had attended programs, workshops, and trainings at the retreat. Like people, they were individual stones and yet a sea of stones that looked and felt more or less the same. Rumbling and tumbling, affecting the stones next to them as well as being affected by other stones, by the weather, by circumstances, by being picked up and touched, by being ignored, day in and day out. Just like us. Like you and me.

Providing a religious education program is important as it can lay a foundation for how we affect others and how others affect us. Sometimes you know; sometimes you don’t know how until later. How a student shares something they are interested in, something they believe or have been thinking about, leads to an introduction to a subject or a person. Sometimes the response is immediate. Other times it lays dormant for a while, until the time is ready, the circumstances are right, and the appropriate connection, teaching, lesson, or opportunity presents itself. When someone sees, in the sea of pebbles, that one special stone and they pick it up, touch it and bring it home, each time they touch or see that stone, they remember, they reconnect, they find a sense of peace or comfort, a memory of that time and place, of that feeling and being. A time when a call or a visit to that person or place then becomes a bridge to mental and emotional survival and a healthy spiritual journey. A journey that looks different for each of us. A journey that might change its path and direction during one’s travels.

During the last weekend in June, ILYM offered, as always free of charge, the Children’s Session. For the second year in a row – and hopefully the last one – it was via Zoom. EFM had a big presence from a program, organizational and teaching perspective. While our numbers of attendance were low, and I understand all family and friends who opted to not be on Zoom, I am grateful to the children – and parents and grandparents – who did attend. A big Thank You to Camille Roberts who was our Story Teller for our Preschool and Primary students, sharing the stories of Margaret Fell of Swarthmoor Hall and Meeting for Worship; John Woolman Visits the Indians at Wyalusing and Martin Luther King, Jr. To Michael Pine who taught Intermediate with me where we talked about equality, the importance of definition and knowing what we are defining, about the UN Declaration of Human Rights and how changes in our society can be made and our role with that. For the Middle School group, Rex Nyquist stepped up and taught with me. We talked about the difference between equality and equity, and with the help of an image, thoughts of how justice could look. One of the philosophical comments, which led to a question, asked by a student was that we choose to be happy. This statement led to further definitions and reflections of equality and equity as well as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. For the epistle program, we had included two new programs. We started the Children’s Epistle with a performance by violinist Rachel Barton Pine, who played four pieces, specifically chosen for the program, Deep River arranged by Maud Powell --- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912); Louisiana Blues Strut (A Cakewalk) --- Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (1932-2004); Levee Dance --- Clarence Cameron White (1880-1960); and Dance I and Prayer III from Six Hip-Hop Dances and Prayers --- Daniel Bernard Roumain (b. 1970). In addition to these pieces being played, Rachel shared historical and personal aspects and relationships with each piece. Following her performance, each age group/class shared their epistle of what they learned and between each epistle, Sylvia Pine, the daughter of Rachel and grand-daughter of Michael and Joan Pine, performed a musical improvisation, on violin and voice, inspired by what had been shared at each epistle. It was a wonderful epistle program with what I hope will be a new tradition. For next year, I am hoping for an in-person ILYM Children’s Session where their art can be shared in additional to musical and vocal expression of the spirit.

As always, it is inspiring to see how our children can be and are moved to express themselves based on what is shared and experienced in our RE classes and conversations. Sometimes that expression and connection is shared sooner, sometimes later, and sometimes never. In a sense this is spiritual equity, in that the opportunity and the circumstances were provided to all and with each person’s individuality kept in mind.

Later this summer we will be celebrating Camille Roberts, who is going off to college, and Fiona, Cooper, Robyn, and Dan Sullivan, who will be moving to Washington, D.C. for the kind of job opportunity you can’t say “No” to. We will miss them tremendously and know that, when they are back in town, they will come and see us. The contribution of them all is beyond words! Please join us for this celebration. More information will be forthcoming.  

Last month, I shared in the newsletter that, in late July and through most of August, I will be in Sweden spending time with my mom, Beth, who you all have met, taking a five-day intensive workshop and co-facilitating a two-week art retreat and workshop. During this time Camille, Raphael, and Norma will be in charge of our RE Summer program. We will have art and story, will play games, will enjoy activities, will just be together, will take care of our yard, and will use the kiddie pool (bring trunks) and will have snacks. All classes will be held outside unless weather takes us inside (wearing masks). I will be available via email, facetime and or Zoom should the need arise. I am also planning to meet with the program clerk of the Quakers in Stockholm for a possible program with my good friend, artist and art therapist, Marianne. Our vision is to have one program in Stockholm and one in Evanston https://www.kvakare.se/ . Let’s see what opportunities and how the circumstances for that will be!

 At the Recognition Sunday, on June 13, I recognized everyone’s contribution and importance to our RE program with individual remarks. However, when the turn came to Norma, our Preschool teacher, a small distraction came in-between; I lost my thought and moved on to the next person. My two sentences spoken cannot capture who Norma is or what she does – and has done – for our RE program.

Norma has been with us for a while… almost 2 decades! That is dedication! Every Sunday throughout the year, with only a few exceptions, she is here at EFM to look after and be with our youngest friends. She feeds them snacks, comforts them, plays with them, keeps an eye on their behavior, assists with any of their needs and worships with them. She also works and supervises our amazing pre-school workers Camille and Raphael. For Camille, Norma has been a life-long part of her time with EFM.

Norma shares stories of her life in Jamaica and traditional foods (at potlucks) with us as a part of our summer programs, she has taught us all how to make the best popcorn ever, however it’s never as good as when she makes it herself!

Anyone who has tried to find staff for a Sunday morning job for a few hours year-round, knows what a challenge that is. EFM is very fortunate to have Norma with us. Norma’s loyalty, care and love for EFM is demonstrated every Sunday she is with us there.

Please join me in recognizing Norma and take a few moments next time you see her to thank her for all she does for our youngest friends and the RE Program.