Chaplain Chats – Rhythm

The rhythm of a piece of music is like the backbone of a composition. It provides the pulse and timing that allows the melodies and harmonies to fit together. Hitting the last day of the school year makes me think of the rhythms of life. Our school calendar creates a rhythm so all the activities of life can coherently fit together. 2025 has been full of many amazing personal stories. The personal melodies and harmonies at Kennedy this year have been both triumphant and tragic. There have simultaneously been significant challenges and great flourishing, all held by the year’s rhythm.

During our Easter services, we looked at a passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, which references Eternity living in every human heart as a deep longing. In the context of eternity, the whole of life is to fit together, all the seasons of joy and sadness, loss and gain, and every facet of our human journey. I love the focus Christmas brings at the end of each calendar year when we recognise that the historical figure of Jesus was the one who brings structure, heartbeat… the rhythm to life.

My heart is full of wonder as I have watched our whole community at Kennedy move together through all the challenges, hurts, stress, achievements, victories, and joy it has brought. The bible tells us that “God IS love”, and when I look at our school community, I see His character of love breaking out everywhere.

I want to finish this year with an invitation to add a new movement to the great musical called your LIFE. Please consider fitting in a visit to a church this Christmas. The times and details of all our partnering churches are below. I am confident you will find that Jesus adds rhythm to you and your family and celebrating His arrival with others this Christmas will finish your year with blessing.

I am looking forward to continuing to make music with you all next year.

Peter Chase
College Chaplain