OSCA Chaplain
GATHERING AS ONE IN EMPATHY AND UNITY
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
This week a couple of retired staff laughingly reminded me of Staff Chapel Services . They claimed still to be averse to the ‘ roving mic ’. Personally I ’ m still not convinced . I think they loved it and the voice it gave them !
It was always a great privilege and challenge to me when we gathered as ' the staff ’ in the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel . If truth be told , preparation was usually tinged with angst for me . After many years as Chaplain , I had been invited into numerous private places of hurting staff , places where pain was palpable , and grief unremitting , staff members whose pain I still vividly recall . Times associated with names JF , SO , SH and RW , the first four that come to mind . But others crowd in as I pause there .
There were also moments of sheer delight , Like David Paul ’ s 60th birthday party , or several memorable Epiphany parties , and quite a few weddings !
I was increasingly conscious of the astonishing diversity and complexity of every individual person and the respect due each as an image bearer of the almighty God . Yet there were times we could gather as one , with an empathetic and powerful unity . Staff new and old . The Littlejohn Chapel was one of those places .
This embrace of one another created a rich and enriching tapestry – tartan , if you will – to serve the boys of the next generation . It reminded me of the Welcome and Call to Worship from the 2011 Staff Commencement Service , which went something like this :
Welcome , welcome to Worship Men and women , teachers all , Welcome
Feeling good , with shining face and summer rested . Welcome . Had a knock , feeling battered , still in shock ? Welcome .
Issues with fidelity , in complex relationship ? Married with kids ? Wouldn ’ t change for quids ? Welcome
Teaching VCE or Kinder , skilled with words , or with a ball Experienced in classroom , or new , and feeling small , Welcome
Head of House and poised , apprehensive coaching boys Praying hard to get it right , all are precious in his sight , Welcome .
Mathematician , musician , physicist or linguist Chemist , counsellor , or drama queen , If you ’ re thin , or in between , Welcome
Athletes , alcoholics , actors , and adulterers , Welcome Pro-life , pro-choice , profane , just pregnant , Welcome Sinners , saints , sceptics and seekers , Welcome
Apathetic , agnostic , atheist or seeker , Welcome Welcome to this sacred space , God wants all to seek His face None are worthy in this place , just bathe in His amazing grace .
Welcome to worship .
REV . GRAHAM BRADBEER – OSCA CHAPLAIN
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