Each month, articles that can be included or adapted for a school newsletter by a chaplain are provided in Chaplaincy Matters. Regular communication to the school community will help improve the understanding of what a chaplain does and help families and staff get to know ‘their chappy’ and the service being offered at the school. If people in a school community don’t understand what a chaplain does, or that the service even exists at the school, fundraising and other activities can be difficult.
Consider doing the following:
- Get permission from your Principal for newsletter articles and check if there is approval for the inclusion of a Bible verse before you use o
ne. - Call it something like ‘Chappy’s corner’ or ‘Food for thought’. Include a photo of yourself – you want the school community to recognise you.
- Finish the article with your name e.g. Chappy Jan.
- Have at least one article a month included in your weekly school newsletter, weekly if possible.
- Below are 5 articles for the next month – provided by Chappy Teresa. Teresa has been a chaplain for 12 years and is now a regular Chaplaincy Matters contributor sharing articles she has prepared for her school newsletters over the years. Teresa has also given chaplains permission to put their own names to her articles – so that they can be a personal message from chaplains to their school community!
Other articles have been available in previous editions of Chaplaincy Matters.
Article 1 – the theme is about WELCOMING STRANGERS
Food for Thought
At the start of every school year, we have an influx of new people, mostly students and their families but also a few new staff members.
We have all at some point in time been ‘the new person’. Remember how anxious you felt then.
Consider this – the stranger in our school community, you might have chosen to ignore may possibly turn out to be a really good friend, if you just take the time to get to know them.
You can be certain of this – a person who is thoughtful and kind to others is never short of friends so why not make the effort to be that person.
A message from Chappy……..
Article 2 – the theme is about TEENAGERS NOWADAYS
Food for Thought
How would you finish the following sentence?
Teenagers nowadays……………
Some people might choose words such as these:
‘are out of control’, ‘are disrespectful and rude’ or ‘are violent and abusive’.
Let me assure you that though these comments might fit a small percentage of teenagers, they definitely do not apply to the vast majority.
A much larger percentage of our young people work hard at school, are busy on weekends with sports and/or other hobbies, and once old enough, are also busy with part-time jobs.
Please take the time to look for the good in each of our young ones and encourage them in their efforts.
Teenagers nowadays are all individuals who, with the nurturing effect of guidance, love and support, will very likely turn into wonderful young adults.
A message from Chappy……..
Article 3 – the theme is about LIVING IN PARADISE
Food for Thought
A woman who returned from India gave a speech about her work with some extremely poor families there.
One man thanked her for coming ‘from Heaven to Hell’ to bring him comfort. Why did he say that? It was because he knew that almost everyone in Australia lived in a home that contained more than one small room; that they had beds to sleep in, several changes of clothes, food to eat everyday, medical help when needed, as well as the opportunity to learn so that they could earn a wage. This man had almost none of these things, so to him, living in Australia would seem like living in Heaven.
We do have so very much to be thankful for in this country, and yet so many of us take it all for granted. Are you like that? Take time to have a good think about the blessings in your life. Think about how much you have to enjoy, compared with many millions of people around the world. Try to put aside grumbling and complaining and instead adopt an attitude of gratitude.
A message from Chappy……..
Article 4 – the theme is about A HEALTHY MENTAL DIET
Food for Thought
Each day we fill our minds with new things through the movies and TV programs that we watch, the books and magazines that we read and the music that we listen to. Please don’t underestimate the effect that choices in this area of our lives can have.
Think of your mind as being a container. You can decide what to fill it with, but remember this, if you fill a container with dirt, then dirt is all that will come out of it.
What are you filling the containers of your mind with?
A message from Chappy……..
Article 5 – the theme is about HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY
Food for Thought
Honest and trustworthy – does that describe you?
If you saw someone unwittingly drop a $10 note, would you let them know or would you take the money for yourself?
If you were aware that you had been accidently undercharged $10 in a shop, would you tell the shop assistant?
Unfortunately, some people would do the dishonest thing in at least one of those situations. What about you?
If you chose to do the right thing, you would discover something very special. In both instances, the gratitude that you would receive from the people involved would far outweigh any $10 cash benefit. If you are one of those individuals who proves by your actions that you are really trustworthy, you will always be greatly respected by others.
Please remember that one of the most valuable things you own is your reputation. Guard it well – with honesty.
A message from Chappy……..