Calvary Chronicle – September 2014
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
As we begin a new school year here at Calvary Lutheran Church and School, I am privileged to be in the classroom teaching the "Faith for Life" class. Some call it "Religion" class, but I prefer "Faith for Life."
Faith for Life is about attempting to bring together, to integrate, how we live with what we believe.
The first day of class I asked the question, "How many religions are there in the world?" The answers were varied with the consensus being, "Many." How many religions did you think of when you read that question?
The correct answer is actually very small, it is two. The religion of WORKS (of what you must DO to enter heaven is one). The second is the religion of GRACE (that God has given us Heaven as a free gift to His people. Because of Christ's work for us on the cross, we no longer have to live a perfect life. He has done that for us).
How then should we respond to this grace of God, this undeserved love that He has showed us? When someone in your life gives you a gift, what do you do? Do you say "Thank You;" do you send a card? Does your response depend upon the size of the gift? I would say "thanks" to someone who gave me a stick of gum. What size of gift would dictate a thank you card?
How can we respond to a God who has given us salvation; who has sent His only-begotten Son to die in our place? A card just wouldn't seem to 'cover it.' We respond to His grace and show our thankfulness by still striving to live as God would like us to live! Romans 12:1 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship." Paul doesn't say we MUST live this way to get to Heaven. Rather, that we live our lives in a God-pleasing way to worship God. To say, 'Thank you for sending your Son to redeem me!'
Is your life showing your thankfulness to God?
Do you visit God by worshipping on Sunday? Do you speak with God via prayer? Do you learn from God through reading your Bible? Do you share God by your acts of kindness?
Don't do anything because you must; that would be trying to earn your salvation. Do what you do in thanking God for all He has done for you, this shows your thankfulness.
May the Peace of God be yours,
Pastor Kelly
Welcome to Dr. Mike Chivalette
Dr. Chivalette has served thirty-six years in the field of education. His background includes classroom instruction, history department chair, athletic director and basketball/cross country coach, and principal. During his tenure as an instructor over a period of fourteen years, he has been selected as a candidate for the New Jersey Historical Society, appointed to Middle and Southern States Regional accreditation teams and recognized as teacher of the year numerous times. His coaching background includes being named Best of the West and A-AA Tennessee Coach of the Year. As a prep coach he led his team to an end of season national ranking of fifth in the United States while coaching at TMI Academy in Tennessee. He has also taught, served as Director of Athletics and been a head men's basketball coach at the collegiate level where he compiled a career record of 85-29. Over the past twenty years, he has served in the capacity as Head of School or Superintendent while serving in both private and Christian-based institutions.
Dr. Chivalette has an earned doctorate and two master's degrees in education and administration. He completed his undergraduate work at Cairn University (formerly Philadelphia Biblical University) and St. Joseph's University with majors in Christian education, secondary education and secondary education social sciences (focus on history and psychology). His doctoral dissertation was completed in 1997 under the title: "The Truth in Christian Education, the Values that Define our Children."
He has been a conference speaker for both the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools as well as a member of many business-education partnership groups and superintendent's councils. He has also been a regular guest on local television and radio shows sharing his vision and passion for education. His tenure as superintendent in Toledo, Ohio led to a 3.7 million dollar building program which was completed under his leadership.
He is married to the former Carol Ann Webb, from Algood, Tennessee who teaches middle and high school English, history and science. Carol Ann has taught twenty-eight years and is just shy of completing her master's in secondary education with a focus on curriculum and instruction. Mike has a true passion desiring each student to reach their God-given potential. Mike and Carol Ann have four wonderful dogs whom they regard as their "fur children" since the couple were unable to have children. Mike is active in boxing (muay thai), running and loves working outdoors. Carol Ann is an avid reader and loves to bake. Both love to travel and have traveled to Europe and Asia where Dr. Chivalette served as guest lecturer and speaker in the country of Taiwan in 2010.
Why are we calling Dr. Chivalette "Superintendent?"
The answer is that the title was chosen at the request of our Interim Principal, Mrs. Luehr's, and the teachers. As background, our Constitution requires that our Principal be on the roster of the LCMS as a "Minister of Religion - Commissioned." This is not a requirement of our District or Synod, but of our Congregations Constitution. Dr. C will be going through the Colloquy program to obtain this roster status. Since he currently does not have that status, he was brought on as "Vice-Principal of School Administration." With a Bachelors, two Masters and a PHD in School Administration, he has the academic pedigree. With an extensive background in moving Christian schools forward, he brings a proven track record that can only help Calvary Lutheran School move to the next level.
As you may recall, our plan was to move Principal Brauer out of the classroom as increases in enrollment allowed us to financially do so. This is now the plan for Dr C. Dr. C will be focusing on growing Calvary Lutheran School by raising the level of our already excellent academics, promoting parental involvement, expanding our presence in the community and promoting sustainable funding via endowments.
The Superintendent title also carries a gravitas that will aid in opening doors and reaching our community.
September Calendar 
