Chaplaincy News

Light in the Darkness

I have been speaking with my own children this week about light and darkness, especially as we lead up to Halloween next Tuesday. There is this strange obsession with darkness and fear that creeps in during this time of the year, with skeletons, spiders, ghosts and ghouls around every corner. This celebration of terror sits particularly uncomfortably with me this year as we look around the world to see the heartache, trauma, and death that plagues many nations and people groups. It is with the current social and political backdrop that I have paused to ponder the pervasiveness of pain that so many people are experiencing at this moment and how we might be able to bring light into this world at this time, rather than more darkness. 

The Bible describes God in many poetic ways, helping us comprehend the beauty and majesty of his nature. These particular verses have resonated in my heart this week: 

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 

“…even the darkness is not dark to you; the night as bright as day, for darkness is as light with you.” Psalm 139:12 

“Walk as children of light…” Ephesians 5:8 

I wonder what it would be like to be people of LIGHT - celebrating life instead of death, love instead of fear? May we walk as people of light in a world that desperately needs it.  

Erin Juers

Chaplain

If you would like to find an alternative to Halloween this year, primary aged students and families are invited to join our ‘Light Party” at Oaktree on Tuesday 31 October from 5:30 – 6:30pm. All welcome!