Chaplaincy news 

Prayer for a restful break

Lord of the Sabbath rest, help us these holidays to rest and relax. Bring us peace and a break from the busy rhythms of the school year.  

Would you bless our staff and students as they take time away from our school community. 

Bless our parents who struggle with the balance and lack of routine over the holidays, may you help them find times to spend with family. 

Whatever traditions are celebrated over these holidays would these be full of family, food and fun.  

Amen.  

Junior School Easter Service

We are so grateful for the wonderful performances and Easter hat parade to celebrate the time of Easter last Friday. Easter is a time where Christians look to Jesus. Jesus is a sign from God that God has been with all people, all along, wanting to be a part of our lives and this offers us hope for the future.

Prayerful Acts of Kindness

In the lead up to Lent, a time of preparation for Easter, I have been thinking about different styles of prayer.  

This week let’s consider how small acts of kindness can be prayerful and help us connect to ourselves, each other and God. Across the school holidays take time to consider if there is something small you can do to show you love someone. Taking time to think of someone who might be struggling or that you’d like to celebrate can offer an opportunity for you to pray for that person. Have a think about something they love to do, or a kind thing you can do that is personalised. I encourage you to pray for the person as you prepare.

Easter at Oaktree Anglican - St Mary's Church

St Mary’s Oaktree has two Easter services which are family friendly and we welcome anyone to join on either Good Friday at 10.00am or Easter Sunday at 10.30am. 

Shelford is blessed to have a wonderful ongoing relationship with the church St Mary’s. This church is part of a group of two churches in Caulfield/Elsternwick known as Oaktree which is why the names are used interchangeably. They have recently fixed their small playground next to the community garden and have chickens. Anyone is welcome to go visit, take a freshly laid egg or pick some veggies for themselves.  

If anyone is ever interested to find out about the programs on a Sunday or Playgroup opportunities on Monday and Tuesday mornings, please visit Oaktree Anglican website for more information. The main family focused Sunday Service is at 10:30 every week and you’ll see a few familiar faces from our wider Shelford community joining each week. Please feel free to come along anytime.  

Claire Cheeseman

School Chaplain