Chaplain's Chat

For my first article as Chaplain I would like to share my address from this week’s Foundation Day Service.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the significant contribution and service to the School that Tim Bowles has made as Chaplain for 14 years. Tim has stepped aside from the role of Chaplain, but he is not leaving the school. He will be investing his time and energy into his roles as Head of Religious and Values Education and Year Level Coordinator for Year 9. So, for the remainder of this year I will be Chaplain for Moama Anglican Grammar.

Foundations are important. One of the foundations of an Anglican School is the Bible. In the Bible we learn about God’s LOVE for us; and we learn about how God wants us to live our LIFE. The Bible is a message of good news and of hope – in the lead up to Easter at the end of last term one of my classes did an Easter craft where we tore red paper according to specific instructions. When we opened out the pieces we could use them to make this Easter scene. By rearranging the pieces, we could also make these words – LOVE and LIFE. Two key ideas that we would do well to remember from the foundation of the Bible.

Another key foundation for Moama Anglican Grammar is our logo or School crest. The tree (a mighty river redgum) with its branches forming a stylized cross and the three rivers. This logo indicates and symbolizes strength and faith as well as our location, but it also reminds me of Psalm 1. Blessed is the one who lives their LIFE God’s way – they are like a tree planted by the water. Our New Testament reading shows us the type of tree Jesus wants us to be – like a tree that bears fruit – good fruit. (Jesus’ illustration uses a vine, but the idea is the same).

What sort of fruit are we to bear, to produce? Well, money, power and importance can be good things, but the Bible says that the most important fruit is LOVE; and it describes what this looks like – joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is fruit that will last.

Mr Stuart Martin

School Chaplain