From the Chaplain

Greetings again from a distance. As the weeks creep along I know that there are a variety of responses to what we are going through at the moment. Some people are angry, some bored, some confused, some anxious and some lonely. In the conversations that I have been having over the last month I have been picking up a certain sense of loneliness across the community. Not only for those that live alone but also for those that have parents, siblings or partners with them. The lack of true presence of the other is missing and some people are quite surprised how much they are noticing the impact of not being in the presence of those that they may feel safe or secure with, those that give them joy, those that understand them and of course those that they feel they truly connect too. In chapel this week we have been thinking about the presence of God using Romans 8:35-39 as our reference. It talks about nothing being able to separate us from the love of God. I often use this passage at funerals because I know that when we suffer loss or grief it can be a very isolating place to be in. Nobody really understands what it’s like for us and even when people in all of their kindness and compassion come close to us, it can still feel very alone. Knowing that something greater than us and who loves us beyond anything we have done or thought or felt or believe is there for us can give comfort to those who seek that strength. Maybe it’s about recognising that we aren’t alone in our aloneness. Rather than seeing it as something that is wrong with us or can be remedied by having more company we can connect with each other in understanding that loneliness as very human condition where we are drawn to consider who we are in this world, that we still matter even in moments of isolation and our purpose is far more than how we might interpret our current state. I hope you know of the presence of the one who loves you. Call out if you need to connect. It’s a brave step but its important for each and every one of us.

Episode 12: The Difficulties of Long Distance Relationships

This weeks’ episode is a discussion with our relatively new Head of the Primary School, Helen Dempsey. Helen speaks of what it was like thrown into the deep end of trying to run a Primary School in the midst of a pandemic and the subsequent impact that it has had on those with loved ones overseas, including herself. I hope you get something out of it.

 In other news, this week we went public and we are now published on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcast and Deezer. So you can now access it easier if you have these platforms. We have already had a few listeners from Germany and France!!

A big thanks to our Publications Co-ordinator Tina Mavritsakis for being the engine room behind getting the podcast to this stage. Her enthusiasm has been relentless. You will find each podcast as they are produced in this newsletter and on the other platforms as well as our website.

I continue to welcome your feedback and let me know if you would like to join me on the podcast. 

Take care everyone and call out if you need a hand. Much love to you all.

Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain