Orthodox Parables and Stories: Alexander and the Egg

“Alexander was born with a distorted body, he was a mildly autistic child. At the age of twelve he was still in primary school and seemed incapable of learning. His teacher made sure he was taken care of. She made sure with him not to dwell on what was on the curriculum to learn and to teach. She was a very good teacher, a true Christian. One day Alexander approached her and kissed her saying “I love you teacher”. Meanwhile spring had arrived and all the kids were excited about Easter coming …

The teacher gave each of the children a large plastic egg and told them, “I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow, but you have to put something in it that shows creativity and new life.”

The next morning twenty children came to school laughing and talking as they laid their eggs in the large basket on their teacher’s desks.

The time has come for the eggs to open. At first the teacher found a flower. “Yes, the flower is definitely a sign of new life,” the teacher said and continued saying “Well done Maria!” To the schoolgirl, who had raised her hand in the meantime stating that the egg was hers. The next egg contained a butterfly, which, however, appeared very lively. The teacher raised the egg high: “We all know that the caterpillar changes and ‘transforms’ into a beautiful butterfly. Indeed, this is a new life, too, “said the teacher.

Then the teacher opened the third egg. “Nothing” The egg was empty. It is definitely Alexander’s she thought. Of course he didn’t understand what he had to do at that time. Not wanting to embarrass him, she put the egg aside and started to take another egg. Suddenly Alexander was surprised. “Teacher, won’t you say anything about my egg?” Troubled, the teacher replied, “But, Alexander, your egg is empty!” He looked her in the eyes and said in a soft voice, “Yes teacher, but Christ’s grave was empty too.”

Time went by. The teacher tried to recover. A short time later she asks Alexander, “Do you know why the tomb was empty?” and he replied: “Yes, Christ was killed and put there, but then He was resurrected. Doesn’t that show  new life? “

The bell rang for the break and as the children raced to the school yard enthusiastically, the teacher hid her face and cried.

Three months later Alexander passed away. Those who attended his funeral saw with surprise on his casket … twenty eggs. Everything was empty. Like the tomb of our Christ that was empty, because … CHRIST IS RISEN!!! “

Source:

Orthodox Gladness: Orthodox Parables and Stories – Alexander and the Egg

Reflections of a Sunday School Teacher of Special Needs Students + Church of Scotland Learning Disabilities Conference

After relating a situation which illustrates the need for “helpers” to aim at empowering special needs students, Sue Sutton illustrates the gifts of a few of her students. In conclusion, she explains that empowerment is a key aspect of discipling, the mission which Jesus gave to the twelve apostles (and all Christian leaders, past, present, and future) after His resurrection.  She writes, 

Making disciples means empowering all people to use their gifts and to become active followers in the Kingdom of God. Disciple-making does not disqualify those who have limited cognitive ability or understanding. They too need the satisfaction of contributing to the world around them. Are we willing to receive?

To access:

EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AT CHURCH, by Sue Sutton

Sue Sutton also wrote a book, available for purchase: Goodreads: Living Fulfilled Lives: Empowering People with Learning Disabilities

Other articles by Sue Sutton: More from Sue Sutton

Playlist of the Church of Scotland Learning Disabilities Conference, 2018 (a total of 9 videos), beginning with the first: 

(Also: Church of Scotland Learning Disabilities Action Pack)

Summer Kinard: Various Means of Non-Verbal Prayer

Amazon.com

Summer Kinard sees dozens of ways one can guide a non-verbal child to pray; this post offers three of these, which she entitles “Cast Your Cares upon the Lord, ‘Walk With Jesus,’ and ‘He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands,” which include a map of the world and thirteen, small circular icons of the Lord, His Mother the Most Holy Theotokos, and eleven other saints underneath the map. This can be printed out. Her book “OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM: A PRACTICAL THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY” will include more.

To access the post:

Non-Verbal Prayer 3 Ways

Also for those with communication and memory difficulties, Summer Kinard offers a visual guide to the Jesus Prayer, an easy-to-repeat sequence.  Summer’s term for it is “A Board Maker Symbol version of the Jesus Prayer,” with a pdf of the Board Maker one can download and cut out for use.

To access the post and the pdf Board Maker:

Non-Verbal Prayer: The Jesus Prayer Matching

Reviews of the Book:

Goodreads: Of Such is the Kingdom: A Practical Theology of Disability

 

Josh and Sue explores online safety for young people with moderate to severe learning needs.