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Christmas
Blessing
It is that time of year when we have an opportunity to bless our teachers and staff at NCA with a Christmas blessing. As parents, would you join me in showing our appreciation this Christmas season to our NCA faculity for the countless hours they pour into our children? They are not only teachers, but mentors, encouragers and servants. This Christmas blessing is symbolic of the gift that each one is to God and to the families at NCA.
Each teacher and staff member will be given a cash gift, dependent upon the total amount collected. If you are interested in making a donation, please put cash or a check made out to Nashua Christian Academy in a sealed envelope with my name on it "Lisa Beliveau" on the outside. I will include this cash gift in a Christmas card signed from us, the parents.
Thank you for your generosity and faithful hearts. Please have your donations to the NCA office no later than this Friday Dec. 17th. In Jesus. Lisa Beliveau (Parent of Rebekah, grade 2)
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Angel Tree Food Drive
NCA High School is holding a food drive for Angel Tree, which is a ministry to the families of prisoners. We are looking for the items below by this Friday.
Many thanks in advance for your help in encouraging the students to participate.
Items needed: -10 boxes of pancake mix -10 bottles of syrup -5lb. bags potatoes (6) -large canned yams(9 more needed) -8 frozen turkeys still needed -quick breads (15 boxed) -boxes of coco (15 in all) -boxes of candy canes (15 in all) -hand lotion -toothpaste and toothbrushes -shampoo and conditioner -paper products (napkins, paper towels, tissues) -laundry soap -dish washing detergent -cleaning supplies (soap, disinfectant spray, etc.)
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Collecting Boxtops for Education Now
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Just a reminder that NCA collects
Boxtops for Education year round. If every student at NCA could collect 50 boxtops over the course of a year - that would amount to approx. $1,000 for NCA. If you can If you can ask neighbors and grand-parents to save them also that would be great.
Occasionally, there are contests to win BOXTOPS - NCA received $1,000 last year, just because a parent entered NCA into a contest.
Please send your boxtops into NCA. Elementary aged children can give them to their teacher. Junior High or High School students can give them to their principal.
Thank you.
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What Do You See God Doing At NCA?
It is a question that He answers most every day.
There are many stories about what God is doing/has done in the lives of NCA students, faculty and staff as they develop a passion for God and compassion for people. In fact, YOU may have a story about how God has used NCA in your life. We would love to hear your stories and share them through this blog.
Perhaps a teacher encouraged you in your spiritual journey... or another NCA staff member demonstrated how to live passionately for God in an apathetic world... maybe you've seen a marked change in your child's attitude/behavior... perhaps your experience on a mission trip transformed your heart toward others... or you've observed a pupil showing compassion to another student... whatever your story, we'd like to hear it from you.
Visit the What's God Doing? page on the NCA website. Share your story of what God is doing at NCA and be an encouragement to others.
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Please Pray
| Remember these members of the NCA family in your prayers.
If you know of other alumni or friends of NCA that are active military please email their names so we can pray for them too.
CHRISTY BASHOR - Aiden's (2nd grade) mother will be deploying to Afghanistan in January. Aiden's dad returned from Iraq in August.
NATE FLANDERS -
(2007 NCA graduate) Nate is a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa.
JOSH TOMS - (2010 NCA graduate) Enlisted in the US Army.
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Thank You Mr. Kerwin for Your Investment
Dear NCA Family,
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." At NCA, where we have kindergarten through high school seniors, we are constantly reminded of the biblical truth that there is a season to focus on certain things, and that gives way to a season to give up the former things and move forward. This is a truth that continuously repeats itself. With God's guidance and grace, we live most of our lives moving through sequences of relinquishing the former and embracing the new. The challenge comes in recognizing the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and then having the courage to obey, once God's direction becomes clear.
And my friends, while it is not easy, it is time.
I have seen the Lord work powerfully in my life to direct it for His purposes. He does this through spiritual gifting - planting specific abilities and motivation in each of us. If there's something that comes easily to you, and you enjoy it so much the hours go by unnoticed... pay attention to it. It is God's way of guiding you to use what He's given you for His glory.
During the five and a half years I have been at NCA, I have been extravagantly blessed to work with some of the finest, most dedicated colleagues, students and parents. While much of my position as principal of the high school has been administrative, what has truly become my passion are the relationships. Over time, the Holy Spirit's guidance became evident: my gifting was leading me to a pastoral position.
During the time that I was praying for direction and fortitude, a friend gave me John Ortberg's book, "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat." Just one example of how God began to illustrate His plan for my future.
It doesn't make saying goodbye easy by any means, but it is in response to God's direction that I am leaving NCA to become the Youth Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Simsbury, Connecticut. This position will allow me to continue to use my gift of being relevant to today's youth while also connecting with parents. My wife Kristen and I are delighted that we will have the opportunity to work together as a team to help meet the needs of a church of approximately 200. Our sons are leaving the only home, school, and
community they have known in their young lives... but we will be living in a parsonage on 36 acres, which is not only a financial blessing, but a very conducive environment in which to raise three active boys.
Thank you all, for the memories and sense of accomplishment I take with me. I am grateful for every student, staff member and parent with whom I have been overwhelmingly privileged to serve.
A final word to the high school students: "I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (1 Cor. 1:4-7)
Of all things, I have been most blessed by witnessing NCA High School students, both current and alumni, impact the Kingdom. Find your gifts, and use them to serve the Lord and the world. God bless every one of you.
Dan Kerwin
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Please Help Us in Being Good Neighbors
 Please help us be good neighbors. Parents and friends coming to volunteer or to drop off or pick up students may not park in the first bay (Closest to NCA) of the Franklin Street lot. This section belongs to the building across the street and is not available for our use. Additionally volunteers and parents dropping off or picking up students please do not park behind the building. If you have a handicapped license there is one spot available behind the building that is reserved for you. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
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You'll Find NCA Alumni in Interesting Places
Leafing through the latest Cedarville University view book on page 30 you will find a familiar face. Our own Dan MacDougall (NCA class of 2008) is the grinning guy in the second row. Without paint. His mom and dad are sitting to the left. Dan is a Junior at Cedarville, a school that has seen their share of NCA graduates over the years.
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What Can I Give Him?
 "In Jesus' name we give because He has given us all that we need." These words were spoken at our Christmas Program Friday night by a child from every class K4 through Junior High. Every class K4 through 8th grade has been raising funds for World Vision to support their livestock program which provides sustainable, renewable livestock to needy people around the world.
What did the classes give and why? - K4 gave bunnies
- K5 gave chicks
- Grade One gave ducks
- Grade Two gave sheep
- Grade Three gave a pig
- Grade Four gave a whole cow
- Grade Five gave more than three goats
- Grades Six through Eight gave two strong oxen and a plow
We have been learning about God's call to us to be "openhanded to the poor" in our elementary chapels this year. The World Vision project was a wonderful way to give "feet" to this challenge from God. In all, our students worked hard to earn the money for all of the above PLUS extra. Children sold hot cocoa, brownies and treats at school lunches, helped out at home, did extra chores, helped decorate the house, etc. Every class exceeded their original goal, which means even more animals for families in need. Total raised was $2296.56! Praise be to God for His indescribable gift! "Kids can do big things for God, can't they!"
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Andre Imperiali's Superb Work Recognized
 Ask any NCA elementary student what the best part of the school day is, and chances are the answer will be, "Recess!" Our youngest students were thrilled to discover the enhancements made to their playground over the summer. They heard stories from their teachers about a high school student named Andre Imperiali who had volunteered many, many hours to make the play area safe and fun for them to enjoy. But how could we give the children an opportunity to meet and thank Andre, bring the message of servant-leadership to them in a meaningful way, and extend NCA's gratitude for a remarkable effort? A surprise celebration, of course!
There was excitement in the air on the afternoon of October 19, as the elementary school students and teachers gathered on the playground. Balloons in NCA's school colors of black, white and teal, bearing messages such as, "Thank You!" and "Well Done!" bobbed from the corners of the playground gate, and a ribbon was tied across the entrance. Andre's parents (Kristin & Steve), and sisters (Marissa, Maria, and Alicia) - all of whom helped him with his Eagle Scout project - were part of the group eagerly anticipating the arrival of the man of the hour.
Mrs. Eastman went in to the high school Chapel and asked to see Andre. Minutes later, she led him out to the playground to the cheers of the grateful elementary students. With a pause for dramatic effect (and lots of picture-taking), Andre cut the ribbon and entered the playground amid smiles and applause.
Always one to seize a teachable moment, Mrs. Eastman engaged the children in a discussion about the work Andre had done, by reviewing all of the new and improved features of the playground since they left school last June. She also explained how great an honor and accomplishment it is to become an Eagle Scout, and that Andre's work at the playground was just one part of what he did to earn that highest of Scouting ranks.
At that point, Mrs. Eastman expressed NCA's gratitude by presenting Andre with a gold, star-shaped basked filled with thank you cards made for him by the elementary school students, as well as an NCA fleece jacket embroidered with his name. Mrs. Eastman asked everyone to join her in prayer, thanking God for Andre's servant heart, for his wonderful example of helping others and serving his community, and she then invoked the Lord's blessing on the playground and all who will enjoy it.
After a hearty round of "Hip, Hip, Hoorays," Andre gave each of the students a "high five" as they left the playground and filed back into the school. The trail of little people and little voices echoed the theme of the celebration: "THANK YOU, ANDRE!"
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