On Wednesday a major event happened in my life, my mother died.  Grace M. Werner, 96 years old, graduated into glory at 1:17 in the afternoon as Linda and I and two other family members stood by her bed.  The event was very peaceful and we rejoice that we have had the honor to enjoy her life for these many years.

A flood of emotions come to mind when an event of this magnitude occurs; I want to focus on one idea that has occupied my mind as I have thought about the events of the last few days.

Just a few weeks ago the Circle boys 4 x 800 relay team won the state championship.  Each of the runners is a very accomplished athlete but the key to the race is not just speed, it is the successful passing of the baton.  The handoff is the most important part of the race.  If the baton is dropped, the race is over.  All the speed in the world cannot atone for a failed handoff.  Needless to say, each runner knows the pressure that accompanies that moment in time as the precious cargo is transferred from one member to the next.  There is nothing more important during the race than for each member to properly secure the baton and then begin to run.

Today, I have the baton.  It was handed to me on Wednesday as a frail, elderly woman who I deeply loved, took her last breath and crossed the finish line into heaven.  I am now carrying the baton for my family legacy.  With the passing of my mother I have become the elder Werner.  I am no longer “on deck” to use a baseball expression, I am “up to bat.”  The mantle of tribal leader is now squarely on my shoulders.

I take the role that I play in the generational legacy very seriously.  I want to be a voice that impacts future generations for the glory of God.  I want those that follow me to have reliable shoulders upon which they can stand.  I want them to be able to look back and draw courage from the life that I lead, just as I have watched my father and mother before me.

There is a much bigger story being told than just what is seen.  We live in a world with two halves, the seen and the unseen.  The scriptures describe them as temporal and eternal.  I want more than anything to make sure I do not loose track of the eternal, unseen things that are taking place.  It may look like the simple passing of a plastic stick to another person but the weight of an entire legacy is changing hands.  To the Glory of God!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,(R) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 (NIV)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11: 13-16 (NIV)

High school students interested in pursuing their God given talents within a community of like-minded artists, should consider being a part of Circle School of the Arts.

If you had the opportunity to see the CSA theatre track students in their spring musical, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, last weekend at The Orlando Repertory Theatre you were given a small glimpse of what is expected of our theatre track students and the rewards of working hard together as a team can do.  Many of our theatre track students are double majors.  They take classes in both the theatre and instrumental or vocal tracks.  Our instrumental and vocal track students ended their year performing in our spring recital under the encouragement and leadership of Gabe Carson.

CSA theatre track students performing eleventh hour tap number, Broadway Medley, in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.

Spots are still available for the 2012-13 school year in our instrumental, theatre, and vocal tracks.  To learn more about Circle School of the Arts attend the 7pm Circle Information Meeting on Monday, May 14 at Calvary Assembly.

Final auditions to be accepted into Circle School of the Arts for the 2012-13 school year will take place on Friday, June 8.  Interested applicants for the instrumental, theatre, and vocal tracks  must submit their completed applications by the deadline of Thursday, May 31.

To download an application or read more about the Instrumental, Theatre, and Vocal tracks offered by Circle School of the Arts, please visit our admissions page, like us on facebook, or contact Becky Saunders.

CSA Application Deadline | Thursday, May 31

CSA Final Auditions | Friday, June 8

Make ‘m Smile is a community festival that celebrates kids with special needs (VIP kids) and their families and features a Buddy Stroll where VIP families are “buddied up” with people from around the community for a stroll around Lake Eola. Enjoy free food, entertainment, prizes, and a chance to visit exhibitors that service the special needs community.

The event will take place Saturday, June 2 at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.  Please visit their website to get more information, www.nathanielshope.org.

Nathaniel’s Hope is still in need of volunteers to help at stations with games, hand out water, or walk with our special guests.

To volunteer, contact Mrs. Stella.

Question:  What do 5 kilometers and October 6 have in common with the Russell Home for Atypical Children?

Answer:  The Run for the Russell Home

The Run for the Russell Home is being planned to benefit a great organization, the Russell Home for Atypical Children.  Proceeds will go to help the Home make much needed renovations to continue their wonderful ministry.  To learn more, visit: www.russellhome.org.

The Run is the brain child of Circle’s Karen Stella and volunteer students.  This event will be part of Circle’s festivities planned for October 6 at Calvary.  All shapes and sizes are welcome – walk, jog or run the 5K, plus there will be a kids Fun Run (one mile).

Visit the blog and view the video at www.runfortherussellhome.blogspot.com.

If you’d like to be kept in the loop (no commitment required), just shoot us a “keep me in the loop” email at:  runfortherussellhome@gmail.com.

We’ll send you updates – and our thanks.

Let’s have a great time for a great cause!

Dave “Coach Cleats” Herbster

Students and at least one parent are required to attend the 2012-13 Orientation Meeting(s) on Monday, June 25 at Metro Church, Winter Springs, if enrolled in one of the following arts programs for the 2012-13 school year.

Circle Studio Players | 10am to 11am | Returning and New students

Circle School of the Arts (instrumental & vocal tracks) | 1pm to 1:30pm | NEW students only for 2012-13

Circle Theatre Company | 2pm to 3pm | New students only for 2012-13

Circle Theatre Company | 2:30pm to 3pm | Returning students join new students for 2012-13

Students will receive their handbooks, rehearsal/performance calendars, Studio/Company gear ordering information, and other important details as it relates to the coming school year.

Christian Bores and Ansley Bos

225 athletes from 16 boys and girls’ varsity and junior varsity teams took the stage on Tuesday at the 2012 CCS Athletic Awards Night.  Individual team awards were give in the categories of Coaches Choice, Man/Lady of Valor, Mighty in Spirit, and Total Release.

Seniors were nominated from both the boys and girls’ teams for Centurion of the Year.  A highlight of the night was the self-made home videos each centurion nominee submitted to give the audience a chance to get to know each of them in a  more personal way.  Some were serious, some humorous, while others captured a creative side of the athlete.  The event ended with the announcement of the 2012 Centurion of the Year.

The Centurion of the Year Award goes to the top male and female Centurion athlete.  Pictured are the two winners, Ansley Bos and Christian Bores.  Bores played CCS Boys Soccer for 5 years and Bos ran track for 2 and cross country for 1 year.

Congratulations Ansley and Christian!

CCS Boys in Grades 7 – 12 are invited to attend Basketball open gym at Willow Creek Gym on the following dates:

Thursday, May 17 – 6-8 pm

Monday, May 21  5 -  7 pm

Thursday, May 24 6-8pm

Cost: $30 payable to CCS

Address: 4725 E. Lake Drive Winter Springs.  Open gyms are for any CCS Student who is interested in trying the sport of boys basketball.

All girls Grades 6 – 12 interested in summer volleyball don’t forget open gym/ summer practices begin Tuesday, May 15

Location:  Willow Creek Church Gym 4725 E. Lake Drive Winter Spring

Cost: $100 payable to CCS

Contact Jo Stroup  for additional information.

Yesterday, just after the Kindergarten graduation service, we got word that the condition of Jim’s mother had taken a significant turn and it was time for the family to come.  Nana is 96 and the nursing staff is saying that she may only have a few days to live.  As we gathered by her bedside we shared with her our love and great appreciation.  She whispered her sweet and her final words to our children. She reminded them to “Keep your eyes on Jesus”.  There is nothing more powerful than the final words of life spoken by one preparing to graduate into eternity.

I remember a few years ago when my dad was in his final days, we watched the Gaither’s Heaven DVD.  Gloria Gaither shared a beautiful reminder in a prayer to the Lord of what we are now experiencing.  She shared these words.

“Lord, someone I love is dying.  I have learned that dying doesn’t happen all of a sudden anymore than being born does.  It is a process.  There are signs and indications, sometimes, false contractions and pain.  The exact time cannot be predicted, even estimated really.  Coming into and going out of this world is not an easy thing.  These are adventures like no other in life between.  

No one can accurately chart courses or predict experiences.  Birth and death are unique to each person.  Thank you, Lord for the privilege of walking through this passage as hard and as sometimes agonizing as it is.  I wouldn’t miss it.  To touch eternity so intimately, to hand off the hand I am holding into the very hand of God changes me.  The glitter of glory lands on my face and changes the way I see things.  

I remember watching my grand-baby be born emerging from the embryonic fluids all powdered with the rich white coating of her birth.  I wanted to turn my face from the agony my daughter was experiencing, but the fascination of that moment and her need for someone to have been there kept me so engaged, a thousand horses could not pull me away.  My love for these two; my child and her child, held me.  

Now the labor of death tells me that soon the passage door is opening to a place where an aging body will not be needed anymore.  I feel that what seems to be going away from here must be in reality a birth into a new place.  Someone, maybe several someones, will be waiting, reading the signs anticipating.  For them and for me, the door will open just long enough for me to glimpse the eternal and for them to have a strange moment remembering another time, another place.  As heaven sent one of its treasures to us when those sweet babies were born, we are now sending a treasure we have held dear  trusting our loved one to other arms, other hearts.  

Thank you Lord.  Only at birth and at death do we get real about life.  Help me remember!”

Thank you for your prayers for our family as we prepare to celebrate the graduation of this great lady into glory.

UPDATE- On May 9 at 1:17pm, our precious Matriarch stepped into her new home in heaven and is living with her JESUS.

Coach Jackie Sabotin would like to invite any students interested in future participation on the CCS Swim Team, to attend a four day clinic later this month.  This will help get swimmers started on a summer swim program in order to be ready for fall swim season.

Download the flyer for details.