Throughout the current lockdown, I have been making may way through a book my wife purchased many years ago to celebrate her university graduation. It is titled The complete book of Heroic Australian Women: 21 extraordinary women whose stories changed history by Susanna De Vries. Susanna’s description of the lives of notable Australians, while far removed from my own life experiences, provide ongoing inspiration on what it means to overcome challenges and setbacks. I encourage members of the school community to use this time in lockdown to be inspired by people who make the choice to help others.
Food insecurity and National Science Week As someone who has never had to experience food insecurity, I am inspired by so many who work to care for and help others in need, and by the scientific research and development currently underway to reduce this problem around the world. This is why the theme for the 2021 National Science Week, Food: Different by Design, is so important right now. The theme also honours the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Hopefully during our time in lockdown, we will be inspired to look at ways to develop our own skills so that we can learn how to help those experiencing food insecurity.
To celebrate Science Week in Middle School chapel, we held a Science Week-themed service, which can be accessed here. The video acknowledges the anniversary of the birth of William Carey and the role he played in the formation of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India in 1820. There is an interview with Scientist Tony Rinaudo (formally World Vision’s Natural Resources Management Specialist, but known more famously as the Forest Maker for helping local communities transform millions of acres of dry land in Niger) and Scientist Jim Fuller (Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Fable Food Co.). A note of thanks to Carey scientists Mark Leach, Paul Waldron and Julie Harris-Wetherbee for sourcing the message of Jim Fuller.
All Middle School Chapel and Assembly video reflections can be located in students’ House Spirituality folder.
In this period of extended lockdown and curfew, may the thoughts of a follower of Jesus, Saint Anselm (1033–1109AD), guide our ways of interaction with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and strangers:
‘Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much, I owe you my whole being. Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I, for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself, I cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love.’
Let us pray. Loving God, be with us in our hopes and joys, fears and uncertainty. Guide our decision making and help us to benefit and encourage those around us. Guide the leaders in our school and wider community and give us all your peace and may all that we learn at Carey help us to be peacemakers in places on insecurity and fear, this and every day. Amen.
Stay safe, and please email me if I can be of any assistance.
Scott Bramley
Middle School Chaplain
