CCRTC Update # 10
Saying “A Dieu”: Go with God!
The Schedule of Dates in the 2019-2020 Academic Calendar lists May 22, 2020 as the graduation of the Class of 2020. Instead, at the invitation of the Executive Committee, students, staff, faculty members, and Board representatives found themselves attending the online year-end assembly in front of their favourite screen devices.
It was a beautiful program tinged with the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye at a distance. Mr. Richard Feenstra, CCRTC Chairman, opened Scripture and reminded us that Christ has ascended and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. Following our lead singer Samantha, we began the evening by bringing glory to the Triune God - and from there the program flowed from one goodbye to another. Mr. Keith Sikkema’s retirement as a full-time faculty member was marked with suitable words and gestures of gratitude - words taken from the students’ observations, and gestures extended on behalf of the Board. We thank Mr. Sikkema for serving the teaching profession for over 40 years with commitment and dedication to Reformed education. We are also very thankful that having taught for seven years at CCRTC, he is still willing to return as a part-time faculty member next year.
Suitable words of goodbye were also spoken to and by the 2020 graduating class. Each member of the class was given the opportunity to reflect on her past three years at CCRTC. Taken together, their words form an amalgam of development and growth - personal and professional development, and spiritual growth, all leading to a deepened love for the Lord, his church, his children. And for the task that now awaits: “Telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders he has done” (Ps. 78:4).
First and second year students helped us get to know their graduating colleagues a little better, while staff and faculty members reflected on the work done by all students during the past year at CCRTC. The blessings of teaching and learning within a close-knit faith community became abundantly clear.
On behalf of the Board, the Chairman expressed appreciation to the Principal for her work in recent weeks: Teaching, attending meetings, and providing leadership and support to faculty, staff, and students, all while moving the process of seeking accreditation forward in a timely manner. Together we await the decision of the PEQAB Board at its meeting on May 26, and pray that we may be able to proceed to Phase 2.
In his closing words and prayer, Rev. Douwe Agema took the words chosen by the graduating class, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) He reminded us that this chapter opens with the words, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. . ..” The context of our work, also our work at CCRTC, is clear: We may do our task in the presence of our risen and ascended Saviour, setting our hearts on things that are above and giving thanks to God – until the day of Christ’s return in glory.
And so as we said goodbye to each other at the end of the 2019-2020 Academic Year, our goodbye is an adieu: Go with God - until we meet again!
Christine van Halen-Faber, Principal
