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Volume 15, Issue 36

 

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

December 14, 2021

 

Feast of Lights - Thank You


There are not enough words of appreciation that I can say to all of those that participated and helped make our 48th Feast of Lights a resounding success.

 

Thank you to our music directors, Dr. Elsy Gallardo-Diaz & Mr. Marcelo Martins, who start in the summer, selecting music and thinking through the logistics of all the music that must be learned for this event. Thank you for your countless hours and endless energy in developing the skills of the musicians and creating such beautiful music.

 

Thank you to our musicians: It was outstanding! Thank you for your hours of practice. To Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, wise men, shepherds, angels, and all the actors: You brought the music to life. You allowed us to briefly imagine what it really was like to follow the star.

 

To our faculty and to those that worked behind the scenes with costuming and decorations: thank you for giving of your talent and time to ensure that this concert was a holy experience.

 

A 48-year tradition, the Feast of Lights is a gift of lights and music for our Berrien Springs community to enjoy during the Christmas season. Many in our community participated in the Feast of Lights when they were students. Our hearts welled up as we sang the Hallelujah Chorus, especially as we looked into the audience and saw generations of families singing alongside one another. We could really feel the legacy that this program has had on the community.

 

AA’s gift to Berrien Springs has gradually expanded to be a gift to the “global community.” So far, the Feast of Lights video on Facebook has reached more than 2,000 people, with many watching from various places throughout North America and the world (10 different countries), eliciting comments from AA alumni and others:

  • “Everyone did an amazing job!!!”
  • "Thank you for all your dedication and hard work. May God bless you all!"
  • “Excellent, EXCELLENT program!!! Every bit of it was wonderful, but the rendition of Greensleeves in the middle of the program was absolutely outstanding - I've listened to it 4 times now! Thanks for sharing this beautiful Christmas blessing!”

As we share our music, remember that you are also sharing Jesus through music and that you can help people through music.

Some who watched the program do not attend church regularly but will come to Feast of Lights or listen online. As people continue to listen to it via the internet, please pray that their hearts and minds will be turned to Jesus, the reason for the Christmas season.

 

Much love & appreciation to all of you,

 

Pastor Mario Ferguson, Principal

More photos on FB
Video of program on FB
 
 

Final exams start tomorrow, Wednesday, December 15! Please note when your exams are scheduled for and carefully prepare for them so that you can do well in each of your classes. The first day begins at 9:25 AM to provide you more time to prepare. If your transportation requires you to arrive at the school at 8:00 AM, then please go to the Commons.

 

If you have a study hall (or band) during the first exam slot of the day, then you do not need to arrive until devotions. Please see Ms. Esther in the office to excuse your class or if you have any questions. Be sure to sign in at the front office.

 

If you have a break in between two finals (for example, on Thursday you have a 10:15 AM class final and no 11:10 AM class final [such as a study hall or CSA], then a 2:25 PM class final), then you must go to study hall. You may not leave campus and walk over to Apple Valley or anywhere else.

Please remember that students must stay in the classroom for the entire exam class period. You may not go "get books," "get a drink," etc. when you are done with your exam.

Before the exam begins, please get books you may need to study from, get a drink, use the restroom, etc. so that you can stay in the classroom the entire time. We want the entire school to be quiet during exams so that they can be done as effectively as possible without distractions. Thank you!

 

Textbooks


The Andrews University Bookstore, which is a Barnes & Noble Bookstore, is now partnering with Andrews Academy in regards to textbooks.

Class schedules for next semester, which you will need in order to know which textbooks to buy, will be available soon in FACTS.

 

AU Bookstore Hours


The Andrews University Bookstore will be closed for Christmas break, December 20-31. It will be open in January to accommodate Academy students as follows:

  • Monday, January 3, to Thursday, January 6: 3:00-5:00 PM
  • Friday, January 7: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Sunday, January 9, to Thursday, January 13: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00-5:00 PM
  • Friday, January 14, from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Except for Sunday, January 16, regular hours will resume the next week.

 

Bible Camp at Camp Au Sable

January 20-23, 2022

Applications for Bible Camp are available in the main office. We can only accommodate 60 students, so complete applications (with $130 payment) will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to receive applications and payments is this Friday, December 17.

 

Tuition

 

Tuition payment #5 is due on or before December 25. Payments may be mailed to the office:

Andrews Academy

8833 Garland Ave
Berrien Springs, MI 49104

Or contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu to make other arrangements.

 
 

Christmas Pops


The tenth annual Christmas Pops Concert was held on December 11, 2021. This Christmas Celebration presented by the Andrews Academy Music Department at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University. A big thank you to all the students and music teachers, Dr. Elsy M. Gallardo-Diaz & Mr. Marcelo Martins, who worked diligently in making this such a beautiful program.

More photos on FB
Video of program on FB
 

Dual Enrollment Option

Please contact Ms. Ivonne (aaregistrar@andrews.edu) if you are interested in taking this class at AU next semester.

 

Chapels this Week


On Monday, Pastor Rojas delivered the devotion. His topic was "Be Strong and Courageous." To begin, he referenced the point in Jesus' life where He was on the cross. Jesus called out to God, saying, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" At this moment, Jesus was afraid that He would never be connected to His father again. In life, there are many fears we face every day. Pastor Rojas had to face one of his fears while completing his Pathfinder Master Guide requirements. He needed to earn the rock climbing honor. Before climbing, Pastor Rojas said a quick prayer asking God to be with him. Once he reached the top, Pastor Rojas' fear turned into joy. Pastor Rojas likened this to when God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. God wants to part the "Red Seas" in your life. To close, Pastor Rojas wanted us to remember three things:

  1. God cares for us more than anything in the world.
  2. We are made in God's image.
  3. God gave His most valuable treasure, Jesus, for us.

Pastor Bell presented for chapel on Tuesday. He started by reminding us of the story of the poor widow. Even though she had little, this woman gave everything she had. Her giving was significant because she didn't concern herself with what others thought of her. She wasn't looking for honor or praise

She simply gave out of the goodness of her heart and her love for God.

One day, Pastor Bell saw a man digging through his church's dumpster. The man was looking for recycling to pay for food for his family. Pastor Bell didn't have cash on his person, so he gave the man his coat and phone number and told him to call if he ever needed anything. God has called us all to give everything we have and do our best. He did the same when He sent Jesus to Earth for humanity. So why can't we lend a coat to someone in need? To close, Pastor Bell challenged us with this question: "What will you give?"

More photos on FB
 
More information

Free Counseling Offered at Andrews University


The Andrews Community Counseling Center (ACCC) will have openings for many new clients when they reopen in January 2022 (although individuals interested in services are encouraged to call now and leave a confidential voicemail message to get their name toward the top of the waiting list). Graduate-level practicum students who provide these free counseling services at the ACCC have training in counseling adults, adolescents, and children. Counseling sessions are completely confidential.

During the pandemic, the ACCC knows that the need for mental health services is great, and they also recognize that the need for physical safety is essential. Therefore, all counseling in-person sessions will require counselors and clients to wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth at all times, regardless of vaccination status. For those unable to attend in-person, some teletherapy services may also be available using confidential Zoom sessions.

 
 

Important: Remember that in order to order lunch, students must have a signed contract with AU Dining Services/Bon Appetit and their ID card. Also, lunches need to be ordered online or through the GET Mobile app at least one day in advance (by 5 PM). See instructions in a previous E-Sanjo or contact Dining Services for more information - 269-471-3161 or ds@andrews.edu. If a student orders lunch but then is absent that day, please email Dining Services by 9:00 AM to cancel the order.

 
 
2021-22 Calendar*
2021-22 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar

* There are options to subscribe to the 2021-22 school calendar on our website.

 

School Office Hours:

From December 15-17, the Office will close at 12:35 PM.

The Office will be closed from December 20-24.

Office personnel will be available by appointment from December 27-29.

The Office will be closed from
December 30-31.

Office Hours for January 3-7:
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

January 10: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Principal: mferguson@andrews.edu
Application/Enrollment Process: penn@andrews.edu

Financial Plan: gaytan@andrews.edu

Class Schedule: aaregistrar@andrews.edu
Guidance Counselor: nievesl@andrews.edu

2020-21 Sourcebook
Faculty & Staff Contact Info
 
 
 

Please remember, if a student has been exposed to, or tests positive for, COVID-19, this information should be sent via email to  covid19@andrews.edu and aaprincipal@andrews.edu.

Quarantine Procedures
Berrien County Health Dept Info for Schools & Families
 

Andrews Academy

8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104

 

 

academy@andrews.edu

 

269-471-3138