Annual GIS Ecumenical Service – hosted by Beaconhills College

February 18, 2009

Beaconhills College, Valley Campus, hosted for the very first time in the history of the College, the annual Gippsland Independent Schools ecumenical worship service for the leaders of these schools.

Headmasters, Heads of Campus, Heads of School, School Captains and leaders attended this day. The theme for the worship and the afternoon workshop centred around, "What does it mean to be a leader in a spiritual/religious context?". The School Captains read short excerpts taken from speeches made by some of the leaders in our world who have changed the direction of millions of lives.  These were paralleled with passages read from the "Sermon on the Mount" made by Jesus, teaching about the virtues and values that are important to possess.

Our guest preacher was Archdeacon Roger Rich, a founder and House patron of the College.  His sermon was based on the story of David and Goliath, and offered valuable wisdom and teaching on how to turn fear into courage. 

Our School Captains and Chapel Captains assisted Rev. Kruse on the day with welcoming, readings and organisation.  A band and choir made up of teaching staff accompanied the singing and offered music for a time of reflection.  Gareth Briglia, a staff member, played a didgeridoo during this time of reflection.  Scenarios of difficult situations for School Captains were discussed in each of the workshop groups and then ideas and opinions about these dilemmas were shared together in the larger group at the end of the day.  It was a great day of sharing ideas, faith and fellowship.