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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Formal Rememberance for Calvin Payne at the Compass School

Dear Compass Community and other friends of Calvin Payne and his Family,

The Compass Parent Committee invites you to gather tomorrow night at the Compass School to honor and remember the life of Calvin Payne.  We gather not just to celebrate Calvin’s too short life, but also to comfort each other as we grapple with and begin to heal from the tragedy of suicide that has touched us so closely.

We will begin to gather in silence around 6:45 pm in the big room.  Sharing out of the silence will begin at 7:00.  Should you arrive after 7:00, please just quietly join us.  When you arrive you will find a slip of paper and a pencil on your chair.  This is for you to write a message to Calvin should there be something you wish to communicate to him.  We invite each student, parent, teacher and friend of Calvin to come prepared to share a short story about Calvin, read a poem, or lift up a song as each feels appropriate.  One can also just listen to the sharing of others.  We will share in this manner for about three-quarters of an hour.  We will then move outside in silence for a brief time around a fire.  Those with messages for Calvin will be invited to burn them. This time outside will end our formal remembrance. 

Following our time outside, the school will provide desserts and finger foods inside allowing a time to share each other’s fellowship more informally.

As this is a difficult time, we recommend that teens and young people be accompanied by a parent or other adult.  We wish to share the information that Calvin’s family has no immediate plans for a funeral or memorial service.  

Please dress appropriately to be outside as tomorrow is predicted to be very cold so even being outside for a brief time requires preparation.

Please contact Ruth Nangeroni at 603-852-0353 should you have any questions. 

Thank you for your support and concern,

The Compass Parent Committee

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