The first morning of our SCL staff retreat, I woke to the low roar of waves, a dewy mist, and the smell of salt in the air. A soft fog wrapped the Oregon coast, making the horizon barely visible—just a pale line where water met sky. As we stepped down to the beach, the cool Pacific wind met us as the tide pulled steadily at the shore. Behind us rose forests and cliffs beaten by the salt and wind. One of us spotted an eagle. And we came to know whales just beyond the waves. It was the kind of scene that makes you stop mid-step, not because you’re looking for something, but because you realized you’ve already found it.
We had chosen this place for a reason. Our team works remotely, scattered across the country, and this retreat represented a rare opportunity to be together face-to-face—to pray, plan, and prepare for the year ahead. Every oceanside conversation, game, and shared meal deepened our unity and strengthened our relationships. Our common goal: to walk alongside you in the months ahead. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and to creating more moments of connection, encouragement, and shared vision as we partner together in the work God has called us to.
The ocean gave us the perfect setting for that work. Its vastness humbles us, its rhythm quiets us, and its beauty draws us toward the God who made it. Psalm 19 reminds us: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Creation is not simply a backdrop for our lives—it is a living testimony that points us to Christ.
Now, as you step into your own new school year, we know the shift from summer’s open spaces to the full pace of the academic calendar can feel abrupt. Lesson plans, meetings, grading, athletic events, and countless decisions will fill your days. The pace will quicken. And without meaning to, it’s easy to live as if the work depends entirely on us.
But beauty—whether in the roar of the ocean or the stillness of a classroom before the first bell—pulls our attention back to what’s eternal. It reminds us that Christ is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).
So as the year begins, we invite you to look for His fingerprints in the details:
- The laughter of students returning from summer.
- The warmth of a good conversation in the hallway.
- The quiet moment of prayer before a meeting.
- The sunlight spilling across a desk.
These glimpses are not small. They are invitations to remember that you do not labor alone. The same God who carved the shorelines and filled the oceans has called you into this work—and He delights to meet you in it.
From the edge of the Pacific to your own classrooms and campuses, may we begin this year with eyes to see, hearts to give thanks, and lives rooted in Christ.
From all of us here at SCL, we are honored to walk alongside you. We are praying for you, cheering for you, and grateful for the ways God is at work in and through your schools. The work is great, but He is greater. And in Him, we will find not only the strength to persevere, but the joy to flourish.
