Welcome Back From Break and the Last Leg

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Hello, Friends.

I hope you are rested up and ready for our last lap of the year. We are going into the homestretch so let's run through the tape!

Carmel Marathon

Fair warning! If you live in Carmel, the Carmel Marathon takes place Saturday. Plan your day to enjoy the runners or to reroute your own running around. Click here for the site to find dates, times, and festivities.

Holy Week

Christians are celebrating Holy Week. The Passion story reaches it's height. The 40 days of fasting and reflections culminate in the week when Jesus went to celebrate the Passover with His friends and family. He was super popular. 

April 13: Palm Sunday (and the beginning of Holy Week): Jesus enters Jerusalem to celebrations and welcome.

April 17: Maundy Thursday: Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples; He identifies his traitor, Judas; He goes to the garden to keep watch and pray.

April 18: Good Friday: Jesus is condemned to death, hung on the cross, dies and is interred in a tomb. 

April 20: Easter: Jesus' resurrection, He lives and has overcome death and sin for all people.

Learn more about the real story behind Easter: Holy Week Timeline: From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection 

Feel free to visit a church and see how Christians observe this holy week. All are welcome, and for many people who have become lax in their church attendance, Easter is when they return to church.

Here is a link to our sponsor Cornerstone Lutheran Church with times and events.

Secular Easter

Easter is celebrated by many people as a secular holiday. Communities host egg hunts and the Easter bunny brings gifs and candy. Baskets, bonnets, and chocolate are important. Break out your white shoes and clothes. Fashionistas know that white is welcome until Labor Day (or if you go to a wedding).

Opportunities and Options

Art Grant: Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

International Friends Meeting Notes

Join us! Click here to register.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We began Exodus and read the first three chapters. These chapters are an epic read. Moses is our main character and we learn quickly that he has flaws, yet God chose him. We observed that Moses is a man who has feet in two worlds: he is born and Israelite but was raised by Pharoah's daughter. Chapter 2 speeds through his tale where Moses kills an Egyptian and Pharoah orders him to be killed, and he flees. While he is in exile, God comes to him with the mission to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses argues with God and throws up red flags. God assures him that all will go well and that He will be with him.

April 14: We will continue the story reading Exodus 4.

American English and Culture

International Friends American English and Culture classes continue view a Linked In Learning course on civility as a springboard for our conversations. These short video lessons spark discussions about civility, creating a personal brand, handing conflict, and more in the American business culture (remember business does not just mean the workplace, but in all times where you are conducting personal and professional affairs).

American English and Culture: Thursday, 9-11:00 AM, Zoom

I hope you remember all your English, but not necessarily what we studied last week. What did you notice over break?

April 17: Check Handouts to read the outlines for select countries from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands. If this is your country, is the information provided accurate? If your country or countries are not represented, what do we need to communicate?

Linked In Learning: Practical Tools for Respectful and Civil Communication.

April 24: Linked In Learning: Navigating Tense Situations with Civility.

May 1: 

May 8: Last Class. Pizza Party! Join us for a delicious meeting in person and debrief of the year.

American English and Culture: Thursday, 7-8:30 PM, CLC, Carmel, room 102

April 17: Many of us are continuing our break. Carolyn has a commitment, so join Sylvia and enjoy laid back conversation and a discussion of American English pronunciation letter by letter.

April 24: Check Handouts to read the outlines for select countries from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands. If this is your country, is the information provided accurate? If your country or countries are not represented, what do we need to communicate?

We will watch the next Civil Language Lessons on Practical Tools for Respectful and Civil Communication.

May 1: Linked In Learning: Navigating Tense Situations with Civility.

May 8: PIZZA PARTY!

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM EST, private Zoom

Story time is over: we became inquisitors and asked questions. We learned more. We also found that it is harder to come up with questions that it is to answer them.

April 18: How much do you remember about our friends since a couple weeks have passed? We will continue our questions. We will also talk about what noticing.

Words and Phrases

epic: a story that is historic and full of action in the form of a poem, film, or book

inquisitors: questioners

laid back: relaxed

run through the tape: finish strong, don't give up or slack off

throws up flags: presents concerns and cautions were plans can go wrong