For most people, honour is akin to worth. When someone honours us, we feel valued—and everyone wants to feel valued. But we live in a world where genuine honour appears to be in short supply; a world where we often believe it is necessary to take honour for ourselves, even if that means taking it from someone else. Jesus continually shows us that true honour is given rather than taken and that we should seek to give it generously, especially to those whom society might not necessarily see as valuable. When we honour others, we live out the Great Commandment of loving God and loving neighbour (Matthew
22:37-39). Furthermore, as we live in this space of love and honour, we discover that our true worth comes from God, and that God is always seeking to honour us because God knows that we are valuable!
Before we look forward, we look back, and I want to personally honour the amazing and selfless work of
Lt-Colonel (Dr.) Susan van Duinen and Mrs. Denise Young. They have helped to lay a foundation on which we can boldly and confidently move forward together. In the words of the writer of Hebrews: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2a, NIV).
I am excited to begin my work with you and to grow together toward the shared vision of Education for a Better World. I want you to know that I am truly honored to lead Booth UC at this time and pray that I will do so with love, compassion, justice, and wisdom.