Christopher Urquhart, principal of St. John Lutheran School, to retire

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Christopher Urquhart, principal of St. John Lutheran School, will retire after 41 years of service at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

Mr. Urquhart began his teaching ministry at St. John Lutheran School in Chester in 1970. Through the years, he has served as fourth-grade teacher, sixth-grade teacher, departmentalized science teacher (1971-1978), math teacher (1978-1987), eighth-grade teacher and departmentalized math teacher (1987-2011).

Mr. Urquhart was called to serve as principal in May of 1987. While principal, he was certified as a National Lutheran School Association visiting team consultant. He has served as Southern Illinois District Conference Treasurer, Vice-Chairman, Chairman, and Chairman of Program Committee.

Christopher Urquhart has dedicated his life to the calling of discipling and educating the children of St. John. He often signs his name with a passage from Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Mr. Urquhart is loved and respected by students, faculty, staff, congregation and community members.

The St. John family will be hosting an open house retirement celebration in honor of Mr. Urquhart's 41 years of service on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. A short program will be held at 2:00 p.m. All friends are welcome to attend.