FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

This week has been a true experience of Chaplaincy as I have worked with our students, teachers, staff and community in translating and interpreting our ancient texts in a way that is understandable for our current audience, both in song and wisdom.

As we are all on the journey of saying goodbye to Lachie Wright, our Head of Junior School, I was able to attend a morning tea this week where I thanked him for being such a contributor to my own journey of learning about ‘learner agency’ – allowing the students to experience their own spirituality and not have a ‘father knows best’ attitude.  This growth has enabled me to hear the students’ stories of life in their own words and not always be interpreting what they are saying to me with a hidden agenda.  For that Lachie, I thank you.

Today, a group of Year 6 students blessed their friend for her twelfth birthday by reading over her, the Aaronic Blessing contained in Numbers 6:23b-26:

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make his face to shine upon you
 And be gracious to you
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
And give you peace. 

Allowing the students to bless, rather than myself is, in my opinion, sharing with them the joy of their own possibilities.  Blessing is not magic done by a particular person.  It is for everyone and is able to be done by everyone for everyone.

Imagine a world where everyone is blessing each other.  It would truly be a day when war was learnt no more (Isaiah 2:4).

Rev Grace
College Chaplain