From the Chaplains

Four months ago, I was sitting on my ride-on lawn mower, happily mowing my lawns. I am fortunate to have a home on 2.5 acres on the far south coast of New South Wales. After more than eight years as the only chaplain in my previous school I was taking time out to refresh and renew. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I needed to step away, reassess and take stock so I took 2023 off. It worked perfectly for me, and I learnt a valuable lesson in taking care of myself, setting boundaries and restoring the work/life balance. 

This was the catalyst that allowed me to make the decision to come to Pymble. I was ready for a new beginning, a fresh start if you like. 

I recognised that I needed a fresh start, a new beginning if you like. To achieve that, I needed to make some decisions, some choices and then act. The new beginning/fresh start was only going to happen if I did something to put it into motion.  

Last week in the Senior, Upper and Middle school chapel services I used the following bible passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah.  

“Forget the former things. 

Do not dwell on the past. 

See, I am doing a new thing! 

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  

(Isaiah 43:18-19) 

I encouraged the students to reflect on the concept of new beginnings, and asked them to consider what that means for them personally. I suggested only they can determine this. 

It’s okay to say, “Welcome to the beginning of a new school year,” but when you examine those words, what do they mean?  

Fresh starts/new beginnings can only be achieved if you take action and make choices. This could involve stepping out of your comfort zone, it might even include taking a risk! 

I drew upon the example of four historical religious figures as an example of what a new beginning/fresh start looks like.

Upon examination, most religious traditions have stories about people who were challenged by change which resulted in not only new beginnings/fresh starts for them personally, but a new way, a new beginning for millions, if not billions of people. They presented a whole new way at approaching life.   

We looked at, Muhammed, The Buddha, Moses and Mary (the mother of Jesus).

Muhammed was the catalyst for the birth of Islam, The Buddha promoted a whole new way of approaching life through the possibility of enlightenment, Moses is a hugely significant person for the establishment of Judaism and Mary had her life completely transformed through the significant role she had as the mother of Jesus. This has resulted in countless of millions of people being born into a new life with Christ at the centre of their lives. She was a rock upon Jesus could depend. 

All four of them faced a new beginning, a fresh start while at the same time creating a pathway for millions the same opportunity across various faith traditions.  

I then challenged the students to personalise the first three lines of the Isaiah reading. 

For example, in my case it would read: 

Mark, forget the former things. 

Mark do not dwell on the past. 

Mark, you are doing a new thing.   

For myself, the new thing is the pulsating, vibrant place we know as Pymble Ladies’ College. 

Taking this theme to a new level, I encouraged the students to believe that one person can make a difference and can create new opportunities for themselves but perhaps more importantly, for others. 

How can they be that person? 

Every new year presents opportunities for a new beginning, a fresh start but action is required from us so as the reading suggests: forget the former things, do not dwell on the past and do new things. 

Create your own fresh start, create your own new beginning. 

Reverend Mark Sweeney

College Chaplain