From the Chaplain
I am sure I am not alone in saying that this past week has been one of the strangest, most tiring and intense weeks that I can remember. It has been lovely to see some of you online and to find out how things are going but there is definitely something missing here at school. I am guessing there is a varying degree of schoolwork being done, all being impacted by a variety of issues and situations. Ultimately, I do hope you are all ok, that you are finding the connections you need and that we will all find the strength and comfort that will get us through this.
Someone asked me recently how I made sense of everything that is going on in terms of my own religious views. It seemed too trite for me to say something like “God will look after us”. Even though in the back of my mind I really believe this, it doesn’t recognize the anxiety and confusion that comes with being human. At the same time, I believe it is important to examine where we do place our trust in unstable times.
You may be familiar with the story of Jesus stilling the storm. It begins with Jesus and his disciples heading out on a very calm lake. Then this happens:
As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly a strong wind blew down on the lake, and the boat began to fill with water, so that they were all in great danger. The disciples went to Jesus and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master! We are about to die!” Jesus got up and gave an order to the wind and to the stormy water; they quieted down, and there was a great calm. Then he said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” But they were amazed and afraid, and said to one another, “Who is this man? He gives orders to the winds and waves, and they obey him!” (Luke 8:23-25)
We are in the middle of huge global storm, one that few of us, if anyone, has ever experienced. Like the disciples, it has created a frenzy and whipped up fear in a very short time. Some of us might even be calling out to God right now asking for Him to stop this terrible outbreak. We might be angry with God for the situation we find ourselves in, it may even enhance our unbelief. But what then do we or can we believe in?
When Jesus asks the question “Where is your faith?” it is sometimes interpreted as an admonishment, as if He couldn’t deal with their worry and telling them to snap out of it. I like to see it from another perspective. I think Jesus is challenging the disciples to consider where do they place their faith, what do they trust in when things get tough. The coronavirus has shaken our world in ways unimaginable a few weeks ago. What we all want is some stability again, particularly in a physical or material sense. I am praying that will come soon. But what about our own emotional or spiritual stability? Where does that come from? For some of us is might be religion as we know it, a belief in something greater than us and the circumstances we find ourselves in. That might not be the case for others and I totally respect that. I believe we all need to find something that gives us hope and meaning in times such as this. If you haven’t got it yet, I pray that you will.
Thanks to all the people that have suggested different ways of caring for those within and beyond our immediate community. There were too many to name all of them, but I did want to mention a few ideas. Many of the women’s shelters are in great need as they prepare for the possible consequences due to the rise of domestic violence. The type of thing that they are looking for are:
- Gloves
- Hand sanitiser (small packs)
- Paper towels
- Antibacterial wipes
- Masks
- Toilet paper
- Hand soap (pump only)
- Tissues
- Cleaning products
- Glen20
- Bleach
- Disinfectant
- Nappies
- Non-perishable food items (canned goods)
The best way to approach this is to look up where the shelters are close to you and work out delivery directly. Women’s Community Shelters is a good place to start. Meals on Wheels need volunteers now to help deliver food to those most isolated. Places like the Wayside Chapel and Hope St Woolloomooloo need donations such as clothes, blankets, towels etc as we enter the colder months. I have become aware of the families within our school community where unemployment has struck or those in the hospitality industry that have taken on a whole new burden. There are many health professionals that are working in environments where the intensity and fear has risen, and they are increasingly exhausted by public demand. There are a variety of ways that we can support these people and I encourage you all to reach where possible and enquire as to the specific needs of these people. Some SCEGGS parents created some food hampers this week for all our staff to share as a token of appreciation of the effort that we are making to keep school going. That gesture was extremely well received and showed how support and kindness can be relayed in the simplest of ways. We all need support and I hope we can graciously receive it as much as we are willing to give.
Take care everyone and stay safe.
Rev Garry Lee-Lindsay
Chaplain
