This week, those of our Sixth Form Prefect Team for 2024/25 who would like to be considered for the position of Head Girl, gave a short presentation in support of their application.

In prayer we expressed our thanks for the candidates who gave of their time in preparation and in anticipation of serving their community, and we asked that all involved in the process will know God’s peace at all times and in every way.

In our Act of Worship, Phoebe B (9H), Eva O (9H), Amara Y (8W) and Sophia S (8S) read from the Gospel of John (chapter 19, verses 17-30) which tells of Jesus’ crucifixion. While holding palm crosses, we remembered the contrasting events of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and the misery of his crucifixion on Good Friday. In our hymn we asked the question ‘were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ to which we might have answered ‘no, of course I was not there because it happened more than 2,000 years ago’. However, the Chaplain challenged us to consider whether the crucifixion happened more recently: perhaps yesterday when our love for God and neighbour faltered, or the day before when we didn’t compromise or forgive, or the day before that when we acted selfishly or inconsiderately.

The Chaplain told us that it is often said that ‘all it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing’ and that it was no different more than 2,000 years ago when otherwise good people were tempted by selfishness, pride, arrogance and fear and so did nothing to stop the crucifixion. Jesus, the Chaplain said, is the only one in the story of Good Friday to avoid temptation and sin such that his sacrifice forgives our sins and reconciles us with God.

The Chaplain invited us to keep our palm cross and when tempted to sins such as hiding ourselves, protecting something or someone, following the crowd, denying the truth or betraying a friend, to look at our palm cross and be reminded of three things:

That it is humanity’s failure which leads Jesus to the cross time and time again.
That in our failure, we are forgiven people and so may try and try again.
That in trying again, we have the freedom to make a personal choice: to do nothing, or to do something to ensure that good will prevail.

Please join us in prayer this week:

God of forgiveness,
When we are tempted to hide behind others, help us to speak up for truth.
When we are tempted to turn the other cheek, help us to be receptive and open.
When we are tempted to wash our hands of a situation, help us to persevere.

Amen

Confirmation Preparation

Confirmation preparation classes have begun for seven girls preparing for confirmation at the service in May 2024. The first session was guided by the question ‘what is confirmation and what does it mean for me?’ Next week’s session will be guided by the question ‘how do we understand God?’

On Thursday 21st March 2024, the Chaplain welcomed the Superintendent Minister and staff (clergy and lay leaders) of the St Albans and Welwyn Methodist Circuit for its regular March meeting. The visit included a tour of the school grounds, coffee and cake, a service of Holy Communion in the Chapel and a lunch meeting. The service of Holy Communion was greatly enhanced by Karl Puranik, Queenswood’s new Graduate Musician in Residence, who played the organ.