15 May 2014
We weren’t amazing, we were just there
Posted in Family life / School life
This year’s National Families Week – from 15th to 21st May – is themed ‘Stronger Families, Stronger Communities’.
It highlights the relationship between families and communities – families play an important role in shaping communities, and community wellbeing is enhanced by family wellbeing.
We asked Ruth Limkin – Executive Officer to the Speaker of Queensland Parliament; author; former Courier-Mail social commentator; and SU QLD Board Member – to share her thoughts about how chaplains help families and communities:
I recently heard someone talking about the overwhelmingly positive response to the state-wide “Back our Chappies” bus tour. For those who aren’t fortunate enough to be a resident of the regional towns visited by the SU Qld Chappy Bus, the SU Qld crew rolled in with resources and sausage sizzles to both support and encourage local schools and communities.
In nearly every town there was an exceedingly positive response from the whole community. Not only was this an indication of the broad community connection that Chappies have and facilitate, but it was also a reminder of the vitality which is so much a part of regional communities.
Peter James, the CEO of SU Qld was on the bus tour, and when recapping the tour, he made a short statement which was more profound than he probably realised. Encouraged, and almost surprised, at the enthusiastic response encountered time and time again across the State, he said, “We weren’t amazing. We were just there.”
Being present is a gift of increasing value in a society and culture marked to a growing extent by fragmentation, dislocation and loneliness.
Being present is a gift of increasing value in a society and culture marked to a growing extent by fragmentation, dislocation and loneliness.
That is one of the great benefits of school chaplains. One of their gifts to students, as well as to the school community, is to be present.
In times of tragedy they can sit with those who are mourning. In times of struggle, they can be there to coordinate community support and provision. In times of loneliness, schoolyard bullying or friendship challenges, their office can be a place to sit, and their presence can be a safety net for children who need a listening ear or just need someone to be there.
National Families Week on May 15-21 is themed ‘Stronger Families, Stronger Communities’.
Stronger communities arise when we all take responsibility for those around us.
Chaplains are a part of that community response – seeking to promote a culture of pastoral care and support. They choose to be a role in which they share responsibility for building stronger communities.
School chaplains are qualified to national standards, and they help to meet national educational goals, as the High Court recently heard, which is why it makes sense that the Federal Government is continuing funding for the National School Chaplaincy Program.
Yet Chappies also need, and have, community support and the Federal funding of $20,000 per school is often supplemented by generous communities who want an increased presence of a Chappy in their school for the benefit of their students.
When communities are stronger they can support families. When families are stronger, kids are supported. When kids are stronger, our future is brighter.
When a school community chooses to have a Chappy, they are choosing to strengthen individuals and community. When communities are stronger they can support families. When families are stronger, kids are supported.
When kids are stronger, our future is brighter.
Chappies are amazing. The work they do strengthens communities and families. Most importantly though, they are there. And happily, kids in schools across Queensland are the beneficiaries of their presence.
