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Thoughts for the Week

...from the Chaplain

Week Beginning:  28 June 2021. Theme: Equality and Difference

In Christ's family there can be​ no division into Jew and non-Jew,​ slave and free, male and female.​ Among us you are all equal.​ Galatians 3:28​
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Can you imagine a society where there is perfect equality between different races, classes sexes and abilities?  What would it be like to live there?  What prevents us from having such a society here and now?​

See that you also excel in this grace of giving…Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.​ 2 Corinthians 8:7,13​
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What can you give to someone today so that there might be equality?  Decide what you’re going to give, to whom you will give it, and when you will do it.​

Prayer for this week

Dear God,​
We pray for all those in our world suffering from racism, sexism and religious discrimination. For the individuals who are silenced for expressing their beliefs. For the people who feel marginalized within society. Please help them remain positive despite physical and psychological strife. Help them to forgive those who persecute them or who fail to treat them with respect. Forgive us, Lord, if we consciously or unconsciously share in the conditions or in a system that perpetuates injustice. Please enlighten all Your disciples that discrimination does not only come in the form of lowering others but it demonstrates itself in the process of granting of privileges to select groups of people as well. Guide lawmakers and those at the head of government make decisions that grant all individuals equal status under the law.​
Amen.​

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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
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbours.

Amen.

 

Our School Prayer

Logo Colour rgb 300dpiEternal 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.