Term 2 dates for your diary: Monday 29 April - Friday 3 May 8:40am - daily Chapel Services; Monday 6 May 8:40am ANZAC Service (all at School. Sunday 19 May 4:30pm Founders' Day Service at the Transitional Cathedral.

Kia ora Grammar Whanau

We have had an eventful fortnight in Christchurch as the full impact of 15 March has been experienced across our school, city and country. It has been wonderful to witness people coming together to support and care for each other, showing love and compassion for all - a practical example of our pillar - Everyone Matters - Te amorangi ki mua, hapai ki muri. There are many opportunities to talk about how things have been for you. Please get touch if you  would  like information about who you can talk to, or you would like to talk to me.

The end of the school term is near. Holy Week and Easter will be celebrated during the school holidays. Easter Day is the most important event in the Christian calendar, it is the day Jesus rose from the dead. There are many opportunities to attend services in Holy Week - 14 - 21 April. Check out the Transitional Cathedral's website for service details http://www.cardboardcathedral.org.nz/

As a school we will celebrate Holy Week and Easter by having Chapel services every morning during the first week back - 29 April - 3 May - from 8:40am. Everyone is most welcome to join us for any of these services.

Here is some information about Holy Week:

Holy Week is the last week of Lent and begins on Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds gathered as they were excited to greet Jesus as their king. As with all parades there was excitement and waving, in this case people saying 'Hosanna to the King of Kings' and waving palm branches. Many churches wave palm branches and parade around the streets by their church before continuing their worship inside the church. On Monday 29 April we will remember the first Palm Sunday. Last week Reverend Ben, Thelma and Karina from the Cathedral helped students make palm crosses for our service. A special thanks to Rev Ben, Thelma and Karina.

Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday (the word "Maundy" is an Anglo-French word derived from the Latin "mandatum", which means "commandment") is the day Jesus celebrated the Jewish feast of the Passover with His disciples. In doing this Jesus set a new commandment and instituted the Last Supper, which we now remember in the Eucharist or Communion. In Jesus' time the roads were dusty and people wore sandals, so it was usual for servants to wash the feet of visitors. During the evening when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples he washed their feet. In doing this Jesus showed his followers that they should love one another in humble ways. On Tuesday 30 April, we will remember the first Holy Thursday by hearing about the Last Supper and having a foot washing ceremony.

Good Friday is the day Jesus died on the cross. It is known as Good Friday because Christians believe that Jesus gave up his life for the good of everyone. This is where the cross became the symbol of Christians. Many churches hold 'Stations of the Cross' liturgies, which follow the events from Jesus' condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his death on the cross and burial in the grave. There are 14 'Stations'. On Wednesday 1 May and Thursday 2 May,  our services will be based on the Stations of the Cross - 7 on Wednesday and 7 on Thursday. As these are solemn services it is important that everyone leaves Chapel in total silence (there will be no music at the end of the service and there will not be a blessing or dismissal).

Easter Sunday is the day Christians celebrate as Jesus rose from the grave. This shows that death is not the end of everything. Easter is the most important event in the Christian calendar. On this day Christians reaffirm their baptismal vows, stating their belief in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. On Friday 3 May,  we will celebrate Easter Sunday.

We are looking forward to welcoming Dean Lawrence and Reverend Ben to these services as they fit in with their schedules, and Bishop Peter to the Thursday service. 

Please also note Sunday 19 May in your diary -  we will celebrate the Founders of our school at 4.30pm in the Transitional Cathedral.

If you wish to meet with me for a chat or to pray or for any other matter, I can be found in the Chaplain's Room in the Stathem Block. Look for the cross on the window. I can be contacted on kundycki-carrellt@cathedralgrammar.school.nz

I wish you all a safe, happy and relaxing holiday.

Kia manaaki te Atua kia koutou katoa - may God bless you all.

Chaplain Teresa