5th Sunday Combined Service
There was much love shared at St Peter’s Wynnum last Sunday morning as we joined with St Peter’s congregation for a wonderful breakfast followed by Eucharist filled with joy and colour.
The combined service is held every 5th Sunday and the next will be on 29th November where we will again worship at St Peter’s as they welcome Bishop John for a confirmation service. Another opportunity to worship and share fellowship with our neighbours.
Wynnum Manly School Chaplains
There are six chaplains who work in the State schools of Lota, Manly, Tingalpa, Wynnum West and Wondall Heights as well as Brisbane Bayside State College and Wynnum State High School.
Trish Bawtree has contributed the following for our newsletter.
I have been teaching in the Bayside since 2008 and, over the years, have been encouraged by them not only in my role as a teacher but also as a parent. I was once interviewed with a view to becoming a chaplain myself, but decided that my calling wasn’t quite strong enough to live on such a pittance! My fellow teachers still can’t believe that our chaplain has to raise her own funds.
Chaplains have a remarkably flexible and caring role within schools, with their primary focus being the wellbeing of students. They organise breakfasts, visit homes to support struggling families with food, take hyper vigilant or anxious children for walks, play soccer with students at lunchtime, offer a listening ear to those experiencing bereavement, respond to emergency situations when teachers are tied up with their classes, and provide spiritual support to students when requested by their parents. While chaplains are not required to counsel students, they can connect children and families with specialised professional support when needed.
I have yet to meet a fellow educator or parent who does not value and appreciate the role chaplains play in our schools.
As Trish says, the Chappies assist in raising the funds to pay their own wages. This year the amount needed is $130,000. Governments do provide assistance, but unfortunately it is not sufficient. Donations are welcome.
Read the whole newsletter below