Dear Fellowship Families, 
 
We are approaching the finish line of the 2021-2022 school year. As I reflect upon it, there are so many reasons to celebrate. Our students have mastered a rigorous curriculum, growing intellectually and preparing for their next steps. In the arts, we have been entertained with beautiful performances by all three divisions. We have had record-breaking success in athletics. We have remained healthy and on-campus, completing the entire school year with no suspended class time. Most importantly, we end this year celebrating our students who have grown not only in wisdom and stature, but in favor with God and man. One could say that we have run the race well, but I would like to take a moment to truly consider, “What is the race?” 
 
I used to be a runner in my younger years, but now I get my exercise by walking. If you were to Google “walking” or “running” for Bible references, as it pertains to a race, you’d find:
 
2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
 
Galatians 5:7 – “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?” 
 
Hebrews 12:1-3 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”
 
So what IS the race we’re to run? In the biblical context, it’s the race of “life.” Running the race is having an eternal perspective in all circumstances with an end goal of being transformed to become more like Jesus. Running the race is resisting the temptations of this world, shedding our sinfulness and selfishness, and pursuing God’s will for our lives. It is acknowledging Christ’s sacrifice and, out of an abundance of gratitude, living a life with devotion to His will and reflecting Him to others in every way. We’re to fix our eyes on the prize – and Jesus is that prize. 
 
Fellowship family, I see the fruits of your race reflected in your children. I encourage you to keep your eyes focused and stay the course. Be inspired by the words in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” 
 
Running with perseverance, 
 
Dr. Kathryn M. Teston

Head of School