The Chaplain's Log

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On February 15 we celebrated our Founders Day with a service to honour Old Collegians. The service was a memorable celebration of the lives and contributions of four old boys: Hugh Douglas Ramsey MBE, Thomas Anthony Buckley, John Murray Sidey, and Peter Becker. It was lovely to have Mr Becker attend the event with many of his extended family. 

Mr Becker gave an inspiring talk in response to his citation which was very well received by all. Great connections were made and conversation flowed around a superb morning tea.  After this a few senior and junior boys accompanied staff to tend the grave of John McGlashan in Southern Cemetery and join in a brief reflection.

Here is the prayer we prayed that day, no less pertinent for today:

O God,
we come together with thanks,
realising we need not summon you into our midst, for you are near.
We need not call you into the secret places of our hearts, for you are there

Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see you;
cause our ears be unstopped,
that we may hear you;
our minds attuned to know you;
our hearts made tender,
that we may receive you.
Just so, we are grateful for this community that binds us together over time.

Today we especially celebrate lives and legacies.

As these stories become interwoven with our own, Lord teach us to live well and with gratitude.

Help us then to hold appropriately our joys, sorrows, trials, failures, and triumphs.

May we also know the hope we have in Christ.

We give you thanks for this nation, our peoples, and the beauty we are blessed with.

Even so Lord we pause to lift before you the people of Aotearoa New Zealand devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle. We pray for effective aid, the protection of life, and compassion in the face of loss.

Empower us, no matter how big or small we feel, to use what we have for the good of people.

This day as we celebrate the legacy of Old Collegians form us into people who would also serve this world you love.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.