This has been an incredible week for our country, our state, and our school community. The outcomes have had different impacts on each of us, and as a community. This morning, I had the opportunity to lead the high school chapel, and earlier this week I was able to connect with the staff and faculty. Our theme: unity. Not political unity (by design this is difficult if not impossible), not even a unity on opinion. Our call is to unity of combined commitment: to love God and love our neighbors, even--or especially--those who disagree with us on matters we hold dear. E Pluribus Unum is a high mark, and one worthy of striving for, especially in 2020.

Some thoughts on unity. Unity always has a focus--it is never realized as its own distinct objective. Unity enables common, consistent action towards a desired goal. Unity is gained by listening and forging agreed-upon ways forward, not by forcing others to bend to our perspectives. Yes, at some point, leaders must make decisions, but only after considering as many perspectives as possible and empathetically addressing the diverse points.

The unity we seek--our common purpose at this Christian school-- is first to honor God and second to enable us to most effectively accomplish our mission to educate. This year at PCA, we are working to gain unity around health and safety protocols, expectations for teachers and staff, and perception of the school in the broader community. The purpose is consistent, the objectives are clear, and the process is ongoing.

So, I ask you to join me in praying for and working toward unity on the key elements that enable us to navigate these days at our school. Saint Augustine said, "In essentials-unity; in non-essentials-liberty; in all things-charity." There is great wisdom here. Beyond PCA, please join us in praying for our national, state, and local leaders and candidates and their families: those who won election/re-election, and those who lost. Let us thank them and pray the Lord would sustain and restore them after an election season as well as to prepare them to govern well. And with an eye for forcing closer community, for those who feel most left out and misunderstood in our society, I hope and pray we could continue to find ways to love them and invite them into relationship. A pastor reminded me this week: "Community is forged, not found. True community takes work, diligence, commitment, and grace. It’s not for the faint-of-heart, but community is exactly what God wants us to be part of." Let us unify in love for God and love for all our neighbors, especially in these challenging days.

Our seventh grade students displayed a noble example of unit, both as a class and in unifying our school, as they gathered food in the "End 68 Hours of Hunger" food drive. Last Friday, these students delivered 2,160 items to a warehouse in Dover for local families in need. Thanks to your generosity, numerous people within the Dover community will be blessed with meals. Great job to our seventh graders for spearheading this meaningful project and strengthening our community! READ MORE.

Health Highlights: Let us remain vigilant both on campus and off.  Please note the most recent data below:

The trends in the environment continue to show significantly increased rates of COVID in our community. Other schools near us this week reported cases at the high school level. We plan to issue PCA's travel and visitor guidance early next week to help you plan and navigate the holiday season in particular.

Hope Highlights:

On the theme of Unity, we are reading this week in Ephesians 4. A key passage for me is here, a long Pauline sentence both beautiful and so challenging:

"And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

I am so encouraged by how this passage ends--not unity for unity's sake, but to glorify God. And such unity is the solution to the problems highlighted in the middle of this section: tossed by the waves, carried about by forces beyond our control. Our collective growing up in unity under God to work together is Paul's call and prayer. I hope it gives you hope to persevere with joy in these days as we work to fulfill this high calling.

In a great day for PCA Cross Country, the Women's Team was led by sophomore Brianna Malone who is the new NHIAA Division 3 State Champion in Cross Country. She is only our second State Champion in PCA Cross Country history. Her winning time of 19:22 was the third fastest time run by any woman in NH at this championship meet (including all divisions). In the Division 3 race, Brianna edged out teammate Liza Corso by 1.4 seconds which gave the Eagles a first place and second place finish at the meet. Brianna was also the State Champion during the Indoor Track Season in the 1000 meter run. The rest of the Women's Team had a great day and placed 3rd out of 24 teams, qualifying them for Saturday's Meet of Champions (to be held at Nashua South High School). The Men's Team was led by sophomore Sam Harrington who finished 15th overall; his place qualified him for tomorrow's Meet of Champions. Sophomore Luke O'Halloran was our second runner who, along with Sam, had his fastest time ever on this difficult course at Derryfield Park in Manchester, NH. Women's Team results HERE: Men's Team results HERE. Like most sporting events, there are no spectators permitted for the upcoming Meet of Champions, but the event will be live streamed HERE starting at 2:30 pm tomorrow.

Congratulations to our Women's Varsity Soccer Team for advancing to the Division IV Final 4 this season for the first time in PCA's history for the Women's Team! They played tough in yesterday's semi-final game against the defending Division IV Champion, Sunapee, but lost 2-4. The Lady Eagles finished their season with a record of 10-4 (including wins over D3 schools St. Thomas and Somersworth and with their 3 other losses being to a D2 team, D3 team, and last year's D4 runner-up). We are so proud of you! Go, Lady Eagles!

Help Support The Junior Class!

The Christmas season is fast approaching, and there is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than embracing the fragrant smells of the holidays. The Junior Class at PCA is pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase some of the best holiday wreaths around and support their class in the process. The Junior Class is partnering, again, with Three Rivers Wreath & Plant Company to offer you several holiday options, including some brand new items! For information on how to order, CLICK HERE and enter Group Code: 26DT2P. Please contact Kathy Towle (ext. 131) with questions.

HURRY! Sunday, November 15 is the deadline for all orders delivered to the school

(wreaths will be ready to pick-up on campus on Friday, December 4)

Saturday, November 28 is the deadline for direct ship orders.

Sharon Gamble, founder of Sweet Selah Ministries and wife to Dr. Ray Gamble (PCA history teacher), has published another devotional book, inspired by her PCA Wednesday Girls! The book's dedication reads "Thank you to all the beautiful Wednesday Girls (over 200 of you!) who attended Portsmouth Christian Academy's before-school Wednesday Girls group, sharing muffins and juice, and studying the Word of God early in the mornings. Hearing your stories, praying for your hurts, and watching you grow into the fine women of God you are today has been among my greatest joys. This book is for you." Books can be ordered online at AMAZON (for $16.99/book) or for $15.99/book through GOD'S GIRLS STORE in North Hampton.

ATTENTION, Wednesday Girls! Email Sharon directly, and she will provide you with a special code for a significant price reduction on the cost of her book at God's Girls Store-- just $10/book! For those of you who would like to receive an autographed copy, Sharon will be hosting two book signings at God's Girls Store in North Hampton: Saturday, November 28 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm and another during the afternoon of Friday, December 18.

In honor of Veterans' Day, join us for a community Hero Workout! The workout will be led by Jordan Heckelmann (Crossfit Level 2 Trainer). The workout will take place outside and is open to parents and students. In order to participate, you must sign-up no later than Monday, November 9 at midnight HERE. The workout can be modified for everyone's personal level of fitness and done as an individual, with a partner, or in a team. Hero Workouts are workouts dedicated to fallen service members, police officers, firefighters, and first responders and are done in memory of their sacrifice. Please consider joining us as a way of honoring those who have served! Contact Jordan Heckelmann with questions.