Page 59 - Bloxhamist 2017-2018

SPIRITUALITY AND SERVICE

spirituaLitY

& service

From the Chaplain became a prayer space, with individual preparation, the candidates went to
prayer stations where students were the indoor skydiving centre in Milton
encouraged to spend time, using the Keynes, to take a physical leap of faith
I became Chaplain at Bloxham in artefacts and prompts to help them in before being confirmed by the Bishop
September, licensed to my position making their own prayers. This quiet, of Dorchester in May. Eight students
at a special service conducted by the reflective activity was well received, declared their faith and made their
Bishop of Dorchester. During my first particularly by those going into the promises in front of their peers and
year, I have tried to watch and learn, exam season. family at a school Eucharist.
and develop a feel for Chapel life and
the Bloxham community. As I have Each term we have looked at At the end of the Summer Term,
endeavoured to do that, I have sought different themes: living generously Searchlight Theatre Company
to make our worship a central part of (Michaelmas); Jesus’s message “blessed performed the first 90 chapters of
school life, which reflects, challenges are…”, under the theme of the secret of The Bible in a 90 minute production
and empowers students and staff. happiness (Lent); faith as a journey and to the school in the Great Hall. The
Morning prayer and weekly Eucharist what might equip us to be a pilgrim performance was exhilarating,
have continued, with additional (Summer). We have had several visiting informative and hilarious.
whole school services at St Mary’s speakers from local churches to assist
Bloxham and, in the warmer weather, us in our worship and reflection on
a couple of services outdoors. I have these topics. It has been a good year within the
personally enjoyed the opportunity to Chapel and for developing a greater
spirituality for all within the school
lead prayers within the houses, too.
In May, the Chapel and Liddon Chapel Confirmation classes were conducted community. DCW
over the winter months. As part of their

Lower Sixth Form students volunteering at Green
Pastures Nursing Home. Our service programme
has continued to flourish this year, with groups
also regularly supporting the Banbury Foodbank,
St Mary’s and Bloxham primary schools, Bloxham
pre-school and the Rainbows nursery

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