Ministry

New Beginnings

There’s something refreshing about new beginnings. The first day of a new year. The first cool breeze following a hot day. The first moment of opening a fresh, new-smelling book, ready to record the learning and adventures still ahead.

For many of us, the big ‘firsts’ of 2024 have now passed. Here at school, we are gradually settling into the rhythm of classes, chapels, homework, and the list goes on. I wonder, though, what have we made of those much-anticipated new beginnings?

Last Wednesday we as a school participated in a time of reflection for Ash Wednesday. During the service, students were given the opportunity to receive a blessing:

May God write a new story in your life, a story of love, courage, forgiveness and hope, because of Jesus.

Ash Wednesday reminds of Jesus’ offer of a new beginning, available no matter the day of the year. Though our well-intentioned new beginnings may not turn out exactly to plan, the promise of a God who meets us in the mess stands firm. And this is the message of Ash Wednesday.

Pastor Chris and I had the privilege of attending Year 7 Camp last week – another great marker of ‘new beginnings.’ We look forward to continuing to support and pray for our new Year 7s in the coming weeks, including running an additional Ash Wednesday service due to their absence on camp, and a chance to introduce them to what Ministry is at the College.

May God be with you in all your new beginnings, messy middles and much-anticipated ends.

Tayla Priebbenow

Ministry Assistant