Two poignant remarks from two wise Christian women leaders have been instrumental in framing parts of my journey in schools ministry and later chaplaincy. The first came while I was completing my undergraduate degree and living at a residential college surrounded by theological students. One Sunday, after returning from teaching Sunday School, I was sharing stories about funny children and alongside some frustration over the lesson material. A mentor said, ‘You know you could do that as a job.’ In that conversation, a seed was planted: a passion for education and theology could be combined to help teach young people about the love of God in Jesus.
Following my interests and the opportunities that came through God’s guidance, I completed teaching and theological qualifications over the next years while working as a children’s minister. I believed that this was where God wanted me to focus my efforts. However, life changes combined with only volunteer opportunities in kids’ ministry positions, meant I was available when a friend from teaching contacted me. Her Anglican school urgently needed a 0.1-load secondary Religious Education teacher. It was not a large role, but I decided to give it a go, and it became a small step that became the doorway into a new space.
Having attended a state school myself, I had little exposure to religious education beyond what was offered by volunteers in public schools, and I had no understanding of chaplaincy. I began teaching in Senior School and then the Junior School, and, alongside this, I started helping with Chapel.
The second instrumental statement came during this time. One day, in a sunlit corridor (which I still vividly remember), during a conversation with my Headmistress, she said, ‘One day, Sarah, I will be at your ordination.’ I was taken aback. My husband was ordained and serving in a parish, and I had journeyed with him through the ordination process. I had no intention of pursuing ordination myself. I expected that I would continue teaching Religious studies, developing curriculum, helping with Chapel and teaching Sunday School.
A few years later, with more experience in teaching and leading Chapels, I was asked to take Chapel regularly following the resignation of the School Chaplain. What followed was a period of discernment, as staff and students began to affirm my fit for the chaplaincy role. Supported by my husband and the local parish priest, I found myself considering whether I should pursue ordination for chaplaincy. At the same time, I sensed an internal stirring, reflected in Scripture and the ordinal, ‘to be an ambassador of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 5:19-21) to ‘strengthen the faithful, teach the young and search out the careless and indifferent.’ I deeply valued the school community and with God’s help, I sought to care for them as ‘a pastor after the pattern of Christ’ and a servant who loves and serves those among whom I work.
I have now worked in three different Anglican Schools in Melbourne and Sydney, and while God may have led me here by other means, those two comments invited me into a vocation and a calling that I had never considered. Chaplaincy has been a rich tapestry; from regular Chapels to significant formal services such as school anniversaries, ANZAC day, Easter, and Christmas, to name a few; from classroom teaching to service-learning trips both overseas and with our indigenous brothers and sisters; from the great joy of marrying staff members (no students yet!) and baptising the children of alumni, to the deep grief of mourning the death of staff and students within a large community.
All of this is in the hope of sharing in the formation of young people, that they might know of God’s love for them in Christ, be shaped in character by Christian values, and be encouraged towards lives of service and generosity. Perhaps a word from a wise Christian person has prompted you to consider Chaplaincy, or perhaps, as you read this, you might recognise someone to whom you could offer a word that may gently lead them along a similar path.