Chaplain

Wellness Wednesday

Wellness Wednesday has taken the Senior Campus by storm with wonderful activities that are nurturing various perspectives of the students. There are foci on: Connection that is caring for the relational/ emotional; Being Active that strengthen the students’ physical being; Learning which is nurturing their intellect; Service which is prodding them to have an outward focus; Taking Notice which encourages them to attend to their spiritual self.

Five activities in all, but of course wellbeing is far more interrelated than five distinct domains. For instance, it is clear that good exercise lifts the emotions. The spiritual dimension is essential and effective at enriching all aspects of life for good wellbeing.

Secular psychologists have recognised and researched into the impact of spirituality and religiosity on wellbeing. They have found that young people who invest in this have a host of good wellbeing outcomes from reduced impacts of depression to increased protection against risk-taking and reduced use of alcohol and drugs, increased sense of purpose and higher resilience. Fascinatingly almost all the researchers use Christian definitions of spirituality and religiosity. They measure the attendance at services, personal bible reading and prayer and belief in a loving higher being. This is fundamental to Christian life and faith.

These research findings hardly surprise me. It has been my and many others’ lived experience as we have come to know the fulfillment of the clear words of Jesus that speaks of caring for us

“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

“I have come that you may have life, life in all its abundance”

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink…, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

“I am the resurrection and the life”

“Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in me “

As our students and staff attend to their wellbeing, let me encourage you that now is the time to look afresh at Jesus, his life, claims, death and resurrection. Responding to Jesus leads to such riches of abundant life and good wellbeing which he offers to all.

Ms Bronwyn Lihou
Senior Campus Chaplain
blihou@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133

Ms Fiona McKenzie
Junior Campus Chaplain
fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022

(Quotes from Matthew 11:28; John 10:10; John 7:37-38; John 11:25; John 14:1)