The First Day School’s Corner of the World: May 2022
By RE Coordinator Charlotta Koppanyi
May is here… April 30th is Walpurgis Night, an abbreviation from Saint Walpurgis Night, or Saint Walpurga’s Eve. It is a Christian feast day honoring Saint Walpurga, an 8th century abbess. Walpurgis Night has traditions and stories relating to both pagan and Christian traditions and folklore. In parts of northern and east Europe the major event held on Walpurgis Night is a big bonfire meant to chase away winter, predators and evil spirits. The following day, May 1st was traditionally the first day of summer with many celebrations, going back as far as to the Romans, celebrating the Festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. It was also the day cows would be let out and into the fields. It became a political day in 1889 when it was picked as the date for International Workers’ Day socialists and communists of the Second International (and others) to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago. However, more about that another time… and maybe with some Quaker history?
In May, RE will be busy with planning for the summer as well as next year. While it is still chilly, we will do our annual RE planting in May, hopefully, with something that will take root and continue to grow, just like our amazing indoor plants. Our students and our RE program are also growing at EFM. For next year, 2022-2023, we will have students in each class which also means we will need teachers! Please see Charlotta and/or members of the RE Committee if you are interested in being a teacher in any of our classes or be a guest teacher in the Intermediate or Middle School classes.
In the Intermediate class on May 1st, Emma will join us to talk about Quakerism, what it means to her and why she is bringing her children to EFM and our RE program. We are still looking for someone for May 8th? Interested? Let Charlotta know as we cannot do it without you!
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th and is a day we like to honor and celebrate all people who take care of others, nature, and all living beings, may it be in any shape or form, and maybe the most important “mother” of all times… Mother Earth. That brings me to our Testimonies and the Stewardship of Our Earth testimony. Planting, growing and composting are actions we can do to practice our faith in everyday life. Our compost bin at EFM, which is a part of our RE program, is in need of a team who can work with us and make our compost a functioning compost. If you are interested in putting this part of Quaker faith into practice, please let me know.
In May we will also plan for Recognition Sunday, held on June 5th, and our annual Recognition Sunday picnic. We are very excited about gathering, grilling and spending time together in our wonderful yard. We hope you can join us for Recognition Sunday and the picnic!
Did you know that:
May is Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month?
May is Mental Health month and that there is a focus on children and youth and their mental health?
On the evening of Sunday, May 1st, Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, ends. Eid al-Fitr, which means festival of the breaking of the fast in Arabic, begins and on the evening of May 2nd comes to a close. The greeting for Eid is Eid Mubarak!
Mark your calendar:
Sunday, June 5th is Recognition Sunday with picnic. Bring a side dish or dessert and join us in the yard!
Sunday, June 12th Summer RE program starts. Our kick-off program is an art project, a Peace Wish Tree, with my friend and artist Marianne Lagercrantz, visiting from Sweden. We’ll start with a project for our students followed by inviting all friends to join us to participate in making a wish for the Peace Wish Tree.
Sunday, June 19th ILYM is in session and there will be no RE programing or childcare. Families are welcome to join the upstairs meeting or join us at ILYM at McNabb. Raphael, Charlotta, Marianne and a few others from EFM will be at ILYM
A wonderful opportunity to experience Quakerism, friends, and nature is to join us, in person this year, Wednesday, June 15 – Sunday, June 19, either all days or just one or two, at the Illinois Annual Session at McNabb.