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We are weaker when we are the same. But just as important as our diversity is our unity, otherwise we have division
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we are the same. But just as important as our diversity is our unity, otherwise we have division, and nothing gets done when we are divided.
So how do we work together when we are so different? This is where Jesus comes into the picture. In his last recorded prayer before crucifixion, Jesus prayed that we might be one, as he is one with the Father( John 17:22). This unity is a relationship. Love draws us in. Through Jesus, God invites us to have a relationship with him; to become part of his family. Whatever our identity, through faith, God is our father, Jesus is our brother and we are family.
What makes us different from The A-Team, however, is that what unites us is not an opportunity to redeem ourselves, but that we have been redeemed by the work of Jesus on a cross. He has accomplished a spectacular outcome for us through the forgiveness of sin and the assurance of eternal life. This act of love draws us in. And we respond in love, finding ourselves fulfilling the greatest of commandments as we love God with all out heart, soul and mind, and our neighbour as ourselves( Matthew 22:37-40). Love helps us to work together.
Bringing the needs of the school and its community before God
Every Tuesday during school term time, a group of Scotch Family members gathers in the quiet of the morning to pray. It is a precious time of peace, of fellowship, of prayerfully supporting the Chaplains, and of bringing the needs of the school and its community before God.
Former Chaplain, Rev Graham Bradbeer, established the group in 1992. It began with a letter of prayer points which Graham sent out four times a year. Later a Senior School prayer group was formed, and then a Junior School prayer group, with the two groups merging after several years into what is now known as the Chaplains’ Prayer Support Group.
Although the group functions informally, careful consideration is given to confidentiality, and there is no pressure, and no influx of excessive emails into members’ in-boxes. The group is simply a supportive, social gathering of people who share together in friendship the needs of the school community.
The group is an auxiliary of the Scotch Parents’ Association, and it has an activities committee which meets approximately four times a year to plan activities and initiatives. This committee comes under the school
Chaplains’ direct guidance, and supports major activities such as the Easter Breakfast, Family Day, the school’ s Christian Movement Group and annual camp, the Christmas carol services, Faith Week, and Scotch’ s support of education in Chitulika, and now Chipapa, in Zambia.
Parents, grandparents and guardians of current and past Scotch boys, as well as Scotch staff are encouraged to consider joining the Chaplains’ Prayer Support Group. You will be warmly welcomed. For more information about the group, please contact Georgie Kilroe-Smith on 0417 116 812 or georgieksmith @ gmail. com; or Liz Blair on 0423 776 984 or liz. eb72 @ gmail. com. DAVID ASHTON
Save the date: Scotch College Prayer Breakfast – Friday 23 March 2018, 6.45am Guest speaker at the 2018 Prayer Breakfast will be gynaecologist / obstetrician, Dr John Neil(’ 60). Dr Neil studied Medicine at Melbourne University and specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Women’ s Hospital, where he was a consultant for some years. He now works part time at Box Hill Hospital where he looks after high risk pregnancy patients.
THE CHAPLAINS’ PRAYER SUPPORT GROUP. BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: DIEU VU, HAILAN MENG, LIZ BLAIR, JUNE SUTHERLAND, BRUCE SUTHERLAND(’ 48), SOPHIE ATHAN, GEORGIE KILROE-SMITH, CAROLINE BEISCHER AND AILSA WILSON. FRONT: CHAPLAINS DAVID ASSENDER AND DOUG CAMPBELL. www. scotch. vic. edu. au Great Scot 9