Church School

In today’s Collective Worship, Reverend Darleen told the story of ‘Doubting’ Thomas, the Apostle who refused to believe Jesus had revealed himself to the other ten surviving disciples until he saw Jesus with his own eyes and felt with his own hands the wounds on Jesus’ body. Darleen talked about the courage Thomas showed to be honest about his doubts and to ask questions, to demand evidence. He did not follow the crowd even though, of course, he wanted to believe that Jesus had risen again. Reverend Darleen’s closing message:

“If you want the best experiences in life, don’t follow the crowd. Have the courage to ask questions and think for yourselves.”

Today Reverend Darleen led our special Collective Worship to celebrate Easter. Children from all five classes told the story of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. On the Thursday, Jesus and his disciples shared the Last Supper. Jesus broke bread and shared it saying, “This is my body. Take it and eat it and remember me.” He then took a cup of wine and told them that it was His blood: “Drink it in remembrance of me.” He was later arrested, his identity signalled to the armed men by Judas’ kiss. On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified and died. From there, Reverend Darleen took up the story, showing children a large red gift box and asking them to guess what might be inside. When Edie opened it, to her surprise there was nothing in it at all. Even more surprisingly, Reverend Darleen said “That is the most exciting thing about the box – that there’s nothing in it!” Jesus’ tomb was empty: He had risen again!

To kick off our school’s “World Book Week”, today Reverend Darleen asked the question, ‘What is the best book of all time?’ Her personal choice is a book that is about…

• the whole world
• kings and queens
• ordinary people
• battles and war
• rules for how to live
• miraculous events
• love

It contains stories, letters and poems collected into 66 smaller books, written by 40 known authors. This particular book has sold over 5 billion copies worldwide and every minute 38 more copies are sold. In 52 countries, you can get in trouble for possessing it. 

Have you guessed it? That’s right, it’s the Bible!

This week Reverend Darleen showed us this amazing photo from her first skydive. While free-falling from 12,000 feet (3600m), Darleen needed to have total trust in the instructor: trust that they knew exactly what they were doing, trust that the parachute would be deployed at the right time, trust that they would make it safely back to earth. She connected the trust we have in other people to the trust Jesus’ disciples had in Him. Volunteers came up to represent each of the twelve disciples as we prepare to tell the Easter story over the coming weeks.

Look at the four pictures above. Can you think of any miracles from the Bible related to them? Mrs Sonnex asked the children this question today and they came up with lots of ideas.

Daniil: Jesus turning water into wine.

Matthew: Moses splitting the sea. Noah’s Ark.

Blossom: Jesus calming the wind and waves in the storm.

Oscar: Jesus taking five loaves of bread and feeding five thousand people with them. And Daniel being put in a pit with lions and surviving.

Mrs Sonnex then read the story of Jesus healing the paralysed man (Mark 2:3-11), a miraculous act that demonstrated God’s power to the crowds gathered there.

Once again we were delighted to welcome Reverend Darleen back into school to lead our Christingle service. We learned about the symbol of the Christingle and shared a moment of quiet reflection as the candles were lit. Children were invited to pray.

Lord Jesus, light of the world. 
As I hold this Christingle and think about Your great love for me and for those especially in places of darkness at this time, give me strength, give us all strength to take this light into the world, to share your love with others, especially vulnerable children and young people.
Amen