Grace Lutheran in Osoyoos closes school

Principal Angela Westcott reminisces and says her farewells.

OSOYOOS, B.C. – On August 28, Grace Lutheran Church brought its twenty-six year ministry with Good Shepherd Christian School to an end, as Rev. Darren Siegle, at the request of the chairman, closed the school in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The ministry of the school, which served kindergarten to grade seven, had become unsustainable due to decreasing enrollment—a difficulty which was compounded to an inability to savings in the Church Extension Fund. There had also been hopes to expand the school to serve high school grades, as there appeared to be a desire for such an option last spring. In the end, however, viable options ran out, and the decision was made by voters on July 5, 2016 to close the school.

After the closing service, Ruth Knippelberg—a teacher with the school from 1990 to 2003—hosted a barbecue reunion at her home. More than 130 people, mostly former students, families, and staff, attended to reminisce, give thanks, and shed a few tears.

“Our objective was to provide a basic education through instructional methods that emphasized Christian practices, teaching, and attitudes,” noted Knippelberg in a special history composed for the occasion. “Our purpose was to provide the opportunity for students to find identity, purpose, and power for their life in Christ by living in grace and the knowledge of Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, to develop their God-given gifts and abilities, and to take positive action in society as people of God.”

You can download Knippelberg’s history here.

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