Ministry 

National Reconciliation Week - Tree of Life

National Reconciliation Week takes place each year from May 27 to June 3.  The College marks this in a number of ways, including our weekly chapel services.  In both the Primary and Secondary services this week we looked at “Tree of Life” - an artwork by Melbourne based, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist Safina Stewart.  This is inspired by the bible verse Revelation 22:2, “And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations”.  The gum tree & cross represent Jesus as the Tree of Life, who brings truth, healing and life.  The gum leaves represent healing, welcome, and new beginnings.  Safina has created this artwork as an invitation to participate in Reconciliation and healing by being truth tellers and seeking justice.

Along with the original artwork, Safina has created a black and white mural version.  These murals are currently being displayed in both our Primary and Secondary schools, and students are decorating these in different ways, as a way of expressing a commitment to Reconciliation.  It’s been exciting to see students engage with these this week, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve.  

More information about how the Primary school is engaging with this mural is in the Primary news section.  Thanks to Safina Stewart (hyperlink: http://artbysafina.com.au ) and Common Grace (hyperlink: http://www.commongrace.org.au/), a Christian Social Justice Movement, for making these beautiful, meaningful resources available for our students.

Chaplain Fiona