Chaplain

Chapel is time set aside in each week for students and staff to gather to focus on the faith of the Anglican tradition. This means the focus of that time is encountering the God of the bible, individually and corporately.

This week McCrindle released research that showed that during 2020, Australians have been praying more and thinking more about God. Sydney Morning Herald wrote, “Social researcher Mark McCrindle surveyed 1002 people between July 24 and 28 and found more than a third (35 per cent) said they were praying more and 41 per cent were thinking about God more. A quarter said they were reading the Bible more. Nearly a half (47 per cent) said they had thought more about their mortality and the meaning of life.” (SMH 23 August 2020)

Our students and community are, likewise, reflecting more about these issues and Chapel provides a sacred space that nurtures this important process. Students are encouraged to engage with the bible but in the end, as it is true for all of us, each one must come to their own conclusions.

The Chaplain has invited students into the space to contribute in a variety of ways. Over the term we have seen students share their experiences of faith, play instruments, lead in prayer, read a passage or share a thought or opinion. This has demonstrated the different spiritual journeys within the school body, while coaxing all of us to reflect and think more deeply about life.

Chapel has morphed into an online format this year with the many changes in the guidelines about gathering. Although this is far from ideal it does provide some unique advantages.

Students have commented that gathering as a Tutor Group to engage with the online video is a more personal and perhaps less distracting. They have enjoyed the musical component that has incorporated some different artists and styles of music. The Chaplain has tried to visit individual Tutor Groups.

Many parents have wondered what Chapel looks like. One of the great opportunities is that parents can view the Chapels on the iLearn page of their student. I would invite you to do this. At present the talks for Yrs 7-10 are focused on apologetics and so it is a little different from a standard exposition of a passage. Students can access via modules a number of different talks. Each Chapel is between 10 to 15 minutes long.

The Chaplain always welcomes discussion, questions and feedback from the school community as we all explore the essence of life.

Ms Bronwyn Lihou
Senior Campus Chaplain
blihou@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9830

Ms Fiona McKenzie
Junior Campus Chaplain
fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9897