The Bell Has Sounded!
Dear Friends and Families,
It is a welcome relief to now have a roadmap for the expected easing of restrictions during the next few weeks, which means a return to school! Indeed, it was such a joy last week to walk around Building 10 at Mt Ridley and to see the light on the faces of Year 12 students, as they recommenced face-to-face learning.
As vaccination rates increase, we also anticipate an increase in social freedoms and a gradual return to the type of interactions and experiences that have effectively been on hold for the last eighteen months.
If you watched either the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games in Tokyo a couple of months ago, you would have seen the final-lap bell used at the Athletics track. In events such as the 800m, 1500m and 10,000m races, when the athletes have one lap to go, the bell is rung, signaling to the runners that their race is almost finished. It therefore isn’t time to give up, but to stay focused and to keep on persevering until the end.
From a student perspective – especially those in Prep to Year 11 – the bell has now metaphorically been rung, as we have dates in the calendar for a return to the classroom. What a joy it will be, come November 5, to all be back on campus. It is therefore time to stay strong, keep pressing on, as the finish line is now truly in sight!
In the Christian life, there is a sense in which since the ascension of Christ back into Heaven (40 days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday), the bell has been ringing. We are in the last days, and as we await his return to this earth, there is kingdom work to be done in his name, seeing light, truth, hope and life come into a needy and yearning world.
The writer to the Hebrews says it well: ‘Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.’ [Hebrews 12:1-2].
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact me at: [email protected]
I also encourage you to pray the prayer for the week below.
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches (currently meeting online) listed below lead regular Sunday gatherings.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (normally meets at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar - 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Locum: Father Charles Potter
Mobile: 0468 331 549 / 03 9308 2452
Email: [email protected]
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
https://www.facebook.com/humeparishcraigieburn/
Redemption Anglican Church (normally meets at 4:00pm on Sundays at the Hume Tennis & Community Centre - 225 Marathon Blvd, Craigieburn)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: [email protected]
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au/online
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
Prayer for the week
Almighty God,
in your wisdom you have so ordered our earthly life,
that we must walk by faith and not by sight:
give us such trust in your fatherly care,
that, in the face of all perplexities,
we may give proof of our faith
by the courage of our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song – Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me (City Alight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwc2d1X