- Home
- About Us
- Chaplaincy & Faith
- Thoughts for the Week
Thoughts for the Week
...from the Chaplain
Week Beginning: 23 June 2025. Tradition
Watch out for religious people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings… But that’s not the way of Christ. Colossians 2:8, 10
What traditions do you like to celebrate at school, at home, in the community? What ideas do they spread? Good or bad? Is tradition more important than people’s well being? Why/why not? Why are traditions important to humans?
Describing religious people, Jesus said: "These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they are worshipping God, but they don’t mean it." Mark 7:6-8
Is that true of religious people you know? Is it true of you? How can all of us make sure our traditions aren’t just an empty show? What is the most important tradition to you and why?
| Prayer for this week |
|---|
|
Dear God Thank You for the traditions that we treasure and those that we are blessed to continue celebrating. Forgive us for revolving our lives around traditions rather than You. Unearth the routines that threaten to trip us up and open our eyes to recognise what matters the most. To take from our traditions that which helps and blesses us as well as others. Be with us in each new day, Jesus, open our eyes and our hearts to see you in a fresh, new way, whether in the midst of time-honoured traditions or fresh new ways to celebrate You. Amen |
Assemblies and Readings
During the current situation, and social distancing restrictions, virtual assemblies will be held during afternoon registration on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and where appropriate associated digital materials shared with students will be published below.
Special message from Julie Bowen, School Chaplain - Covid 19
Dear readers,
Together with other clergy I have put together this booklet for my congregation that offers some prayers, liturgy and Bible readings as well as where to turn for spiritual programming during this difficult time.
Please take care of yourselves and your families, keep an eye out for neighbours and as we are unable to visit the phone is a valuable tool for contact especially with the elderly.
The following is an old Irish blessing which I am praying for you all at this time:
Love and blessings to you all,
Julie
| May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. |
May we who are merely inconvenienced Amen. |
Our School Prayer
Eternal God,
Help us through our duty to you
To love our neighbour,
To care for others,
To do our best for and in school,
To work for the common good of our community,
And to care for ourselves as we serve you.
Amen
Additional prayers for difficult times
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Celtic Circle Prayer
Circle me Father God, Keep love within and hatred without, Keep hope within and despair without, Keep peace within and anxiety without. Circle me Father God, Keep strength within and weakness without, Keep faith within and doubt without, Keep light within and darkness without. Circle me Father God, Surround me with your love, Surround me with your protection, Surround me with your peace.
Amen.
