From the Chaplain

From the Chaplain

There is lots of stuff happening as we get closer to the end of the year. There is a large amount of information but I would rather you be aware and I will leave it up to you what you do with it all!!

 

Festival of Lessons and Carols

If going to a carols service is part of your Christmas planning then have I got something for you! Our Festival of Lessons and Carols is being held this year on Thursday 26 November at 7:00pm in the Great Hall.  Everyone in and connected to our community is warmly invited as we celebrate the joy and meaning of Christmas. We take a collection at this service every year and the money donated always goes towards a local charity (which we will be announcing next week). I hope to see you there!

 

Christmas Gifts Collection

As part of our annual school Christmas service, we ask each student to contribute towards a gift for either a boy or a girl, wrapped in cellophane, to donate to the Vinnie’s Community Centre in Redfern. These gifts will be distributed to children who may not otherwise receive anything at Christmas due to poverty or other family issues. Unfortunately, we have seen a greater demand each year due to the unsettling times that many families face due to financial pressure and housing stresses.  The feedback that we receive is that these gifts make a huge difference to children throughout our city, giving them the message that they are loved and cared for. We will be receiving those gifts up until Friday 27 November. More information will be delivered to students via their Form or class teachers.

 

“Mr Lee-Lindsay needs NEW Socks and Undies”

For those new to our community I would like to introduce you to our socks and undies drive. There are a number of welfare organisations that are always asking for NEW socks and undies for their clientele. This is a serious issue amongst the homeless in terms of hygiene and good foot care. It is a whole school activity and we would love to receive a variety of sizes for boys and girls, men and women. There is a basket outside the Chapel where all donations can be delivered. I will be taking the items to various locations in the last week of school. 

 

Christmas Hampers

This year we have been asked if we can provide Christmas hampers to two different organisations: Lou’s Place (a daytime drop in centre for women in crisis) and the St Vincents Hospital Drug and Alcohol Service. For Lou’s Place, Year 8 are collecting toiletry items to create their hampers. These can include products such as (but not limited to):

  • Body wash/lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Tissues
  • Tampons
  • Pads
  • Hand wash
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Sunscreen
  • Hairbrushes
  • Hair ties
  • Perfume/body spray
  • Band-Aids 
  • Lip balms

For the Drug and Alcohol Service, we are creating hampers with small food items (Christmas pudding or cake, cup of soups, fruit cups, small packets of biscuits or crackers). Food that can melt (e.g. chocolate) is not recommended as many of the clientele are homeless. All of the items for both collections can be placed in the basket outside of the chapel or dropped into my office. We will be putting the hampers together in the second last week of school.

 

Monday Food Delivery

And finally, a massive thankyou to all of those people who have continually prepared and brought in food for our Monday food delivery. Its very hard for me to explain how much of a difference this makes to many people’s lives. There are still a few spots that need to be filled for the rest of the term and I would like to try and stock up a few of the places that I deliver too to see them through the summer period. Here is the link with all of the information. We are receiving 100 meals each month from “My Muscle Chef” to donate to local charities. Their support is also making a big difference within the current food shortage of the underprivileged.

 

Many Thanks
Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain