Dear Chaplain,
It is with pleasure that I welcome you to our new and improved website! I hope this message finds you and those you love and care for safe and well at this time.
Tony Nolan Chairperson
As an Executive Committee we strive to support you in your role through the enhancement of resources. We hope updating and renewing our website is further evidence of this. We felt it is important to have a website and members area where belonging is a core element. By way of preparation for this message I found myself reflecting on the scripture passage about the two disciples meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
Like all us Chaplains at the moment, they were discussing all of the recent happenings and how best they would go forward. They were downhearted. Then Jesus met them on the road and walked with them. He listened to them as they spoke and gently reassured them. Their eyes were opened and they recognised Him. They said to each other “did not our hearts burn within us”?
It is my fervent prayer that our hearts burn within us as we continue our journey in our schools as Jesus walks with us. Invite Jesus to walk with you and listen for His gentle voice in the stillness. The stillness in our everyday lives is essential as we embrace new opportunities instead of challenges this new normal presents.
Opportunities present themselves every day to see those in our communities differently. Sight is the most beautiful of gifts. As we embraced a new reality adorned with facemasks we should use this opportunity to really see each other. Nowadays, we see the eyes and concentrate on them more than ever before; indeed an opportunity to concentrate on the windows of the soul.
As always we need to support each other as Chaplains all the more in prayer during our Holy Thursdays especially those new to Chaplaincy. As an Executive, we endeavour to extend our support to all our members as we continue to maintain open lines of communication through letters, emails, newsletters, our website and Facebook. Our annual coming together in friendship at conference has been greatly missed and I am sure this is echoed by all of us.
We are working on keeping that support network alive by bringing some virtual spiritual nourishment into your lives. We appreciate your faith in us to work on your behalf and will continue to do so with commitment and enthusiasm in the spirit it deserves. I wish to thank JDK Design, members of the Executive and all who shared resources for our new website appearance and structure.
So as we step gently into a new future I leave you with the inspirational words of John O’Donohue:
“Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”
God’s blessings to you and yours always,
Tony Nolan
Chairperson, SCA Executive Committee
