Accountability

Stevie Wonder wrote Happy Birthday to promote the campaign for Martin Luther King’s birthday to become a national holiday; such was the success of the campaign that the Q community sang this song in Assembly this week to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. In reflection, celebration and commemoration, Mr Sheldon spoke about King’s legacy and his teachings and, in particular, his focus on the importance of accountability, not just for individuals but for societal structures, institutions and the collective consciousness.

As Mr Sheldon told us, King believed that true progress can only be achieved when individuals and institutions are held accountable for their actions. Referencing King’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, Mr Sheldon told us that in outlining his vision for a future in which people are not judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character, King was calling for accountability at every level of society and urging for collective responsibility to dismantle discriminatory systems that oppress Black people.

Speaking of the impact of King’s legacy, Mr Sheldon referred to increased awareness and activism around the world in respect of racial injustice, police brutality and systemic inequality and invited the Q community to continue this work by acknowledging privilege, recognising the barriers faced by others, actively challenging and dismantling structures that perpetuate discrimination and scrutinising policies and practices that contribute to income disparities and which limit opportunities for marginalised communities.

In closing, Mr Sheldon invited the Q community to use Martin Luther King Day as a catalyst for positive change and as a time to recommit to the ongoing journey towards a more accountable world.

Honesty

In our Act of Worship this week, Isabelle A (9H), Sahi K (9H), Eva B (8H) and Marianne B (8H) read the story of Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael to be disciples (The Gospel of John 1:43-53). In response, the Chaplain told us that in this season of Epiphany, Christ is made known to the world and that our Gospel reading explains how this has been done in the 2,000+ years since Jesus’ birth.

Encouraging everyone to be like the disciple Philip, the Chaplain urged Christians in the Q community to invite others to ‘come and see’ Jesus that they too may believe in and follow him. The Chaplain highlighted the experience of Nathanael in this story who, having spoken openly in response to Philip’s pronouncement that Jesus is God’s Messiah, the saviour of the world, was seen by Jesus for who he was: an honest person with doubts and fears. ‘Come and see’ Jesus, Philip asked Nathanael, but it was in being seen by Jesus that Nathanael came to believe in and follow Jesus.

Inspired by his honesty, the Chaplain encouraged us to follow Nathanael’s example and to speak openly with Jesus in prayer, sharing our doubts and fears; the Chaplain assured us that in response, as he did with Nathanael, Jesus will see us and will use our honesty to change, shape and prepare us for the life which God has planned for us.

Please join us in prayer this week:

Loving God, you see us for who we are.
In this love, we are free to find out who you are and who we are in you.
Help us to be honest with ourselves and with you,
That by your gaze we may be changed, shaped and prepared for your purpose.

Amen.

Looking ahead:

The Stamp Family Service for students, teachers and families of years 7 and 8, will be on Friday 16th February 2024 at 3.30 pm in the Chapel. Parents and Guardians of Year 7 and 8 students are invited to confirm their attendance here.

The Confirmation Service will be held on Saturday 18th May 2024 at 10.30 am in the Chapel, with refreshments to follow in the Terrace Room. If you would like your daughter to be confirmed at this service then please sign up here.

Reverend Kate Douglas
Chaplain