Greetings all. As we hit the end of the term, I reflect on the year and am thinking about the journey we have had at Kennedy. A quick review of my year has left me so keen for the road ahead next year, but I want to tell a short personal story of what my “year in review” has been like.
The Chaplain role is a very unusual one. It is not uncommon to have a day that includes vastly different tasks. My day can start by making and cooking 300 pancakes (just want to add that I make my pancakes from scratch with flour, milk, and eggs). I can then be helping Year 7 friends resolve a dispute. I might follow that with a meeting to discuss improving the Year 10 culture. At recess I might help in the canteen, then set up a lunchtime student group, and then write a newsletter article. By the end of each day, I feel like I’ve done a lot, but I can’t put my finger on precisely what…
To be honest, after I felt like I was encouraging every person I met, I hit a point a few weeks ago where I found myself tired of picking people up and reminding others that there is a way through everything. My chaplain tank was getting low. I was a bit grumpy and started to think very self-centered. I said in my head… “I don’t want to encourage anyone today”. This is just to let you know that your chaplain has his down days.
To quickly wrap up this thought, I came to a Bible verse that instantly turned me around and I was reminded that we are all made to be encouragers and the lifter of other people. So I would like to encourage you. please don’t grow tired of doing good to one another. As you head into the holidays please stay safe, look after each other, and may this Bible verse lift you as it lifted me.
Instead, continue to encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13.
Peter Chase
College Chaplain • Pastoral Care
