This week we have had chapel-assembly in the Arts’ Building – I don’t think this has ever happened before at St Hilda’s! And we will be doing this for the next year or so while the chapel is undergoing the exciting remodelling.

This has reminded me that being in a church or a chapel doesn’t make you holy or spiritual; this is something that is with us no matter where we are, because God is with us no matter where we are. We have God’s Spirit within us, so wherever we are, then that becomes a sacred place. God can also be our strong foundation, no matter where we happen to be. And Jesus like the cornerstone of a building – of our lives – the really important stone on which the structure of the whole building depends. Paul reminds us of these things in his letters – to not to forget that we are God’s temple (1 Cor 3.16), and that, “You are being built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God” (Eph 2.22).

So if we have Jesus as the cornerstone in our lives, God as the strong and safe foundation on which we can build our lives, and the Spirit dwelling in us, then wherever we are – be it in chapel or a drama room, at the beach or on the farm, or in cities and countries all around the world – then we can stand firm, knowing that God loves us and is with us always.

Our opening response for Term Two affirms this idea:

The divine Spirit dwells in us, Kia noho te Wairua o te Runga Rawa ki a tatou

All: Thanks be to God, Whakamoemititia a Ihowa