‘Nurturing Faith; Transforming Lives’

The SecondNational School Chaplaincy Conference

Liverpool Hope UniversityHope Park Campus13 - 15 June 2013

ALL TOGETHER? LEADING WORSHIP IN A MULTI-FAITH SCHOOLled by The Revd Simon Paul (EDEN 102)

“Why do we have to go to Chapel?”

“I am a Muslim why do I have to go to Christian chapel services?”

How can we, as school chaplains, hold out on the one hand against the tide of secularism and on the other against an increasingly divided world of faith?

Aim:

To explore some of the issues facing school chaplains, issues which challenge our position and what many of us feel is the central unity of our school communities.

To provide thoughtful answers as to how we can unite our communities in an increasingly divided world where faith in God is seen as either ridiculous or disseminated via one particular faith tradition.

1. What is the pattern of worship in your school?

• How often do your pupils attend Chapel?• Do all pupils attend, or do some

have separate worship according to their faith tradition?

2. What is your school like?

Number of ethnic minoritiesNumber from ‘religious’

backgroundsNumber of ‘Christian’ families

3. What is the place of Chapel in the life of the school?

• What is the vision of your school – if it has one? • What priority is given to Chapel? • What is your vision for the role

that you play in the school?

Vision for Chapel

• Chapel is the place of unity where everyone has time to think and reflect upon the big issues of life.

• Chapel is the only place, apart from assembly, when the whole school comes together.

• Chapel is the place of challenge where accepted norms in society are put under the spotlight.

• Chapel is a place where all feel at home whatever their religious background.

• Chapel is a place of inspiration where hopes and dreams are born and we determine to make the world a better place.

• Chapel is a place of comfort at times of bereavement, distress, loneliness and hurt.

• Chapel is the place where we find answers to the unanswerable.

4. How?

Use a variety of speakers from different faith backgrounds and those with no faith. Don’t be afraid of ideas different from your own, students have a great capacity to make up their own minds.

Refer to the teaching of other religions which often support the point that you want to make.

Be inclusive with points that apply to everyone.

Realise the difficult areas. Trinity: Difficult for Jews and Muslims. But Trimurti good links with Hindus. Avoid Christocentric hymns except at times when you are celebration Christian festivals.

Festivals: Celebrate Christmas / Easter more easily if you celebrate other the festivals of other faith.

Use the spiritual leadership among the student body.

5. LiturgySam Dooley (MVI P), representing Judaism, recites the Shema in Hebrew Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Blessed be His name, whose glorious kingdom is for ever and ever. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. These words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart: and you shall teach them diligently to your children. You shall recite them when you are at home and when you are away, morning and night. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be a reminder above your eyes, and you shall write them on the door posts of your house, and upon your gates.

Deuteronomy 6: 4 - 9.

Kenny Hau (MVI P), representing Buddhism, recites Reverencing the Buddha, we offer candles. To Him, who is the Light, we offer light. From His greater lamp a lesser lamp we light within us: the lamp of the Bodhi shining within our hearts.

Friends of the Western Buddhist Order Puja Book

Raheem Chaudhary (MVI L), representing Islam, recites from the Adhaan in Arabic Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Allah is the greatest of all Ashhado an-laillaha-illalah, Ashhado an-laillaha-illalah I testify there is no-one worthy of worship but Allah Ashhado ana Muhammadur-Rasulullah, Ashhado ana Muhammadur-Rasulullah, I testify that Muhammed (P.B.U.H) is the messenger of Allah Hayya alas-salah, Hayya alas-salah, Come to prayer Hayya ahlal-Falah, Hayya ahlal-Falah, Come to success Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Allah is the greatest of all La Ilaha illalah No one is worthy of worship but Allah

Prayers Representing the world’s six major Faith Traditions

The Chaplain says We stand with Christ in his suffering. From the Hindu perspective: Shreenidhi Subramanian Lord God, in the suffering of Jesus we see the reality of evil. Deliver us from illusion and unreality into truth and eternity. Enable us and all people to discover and to be our true selves, following the example of Jesus himself. Lord, in your mercy, ALL: Hear our prayer. From the Buddhist perspective: Lord God, in the Passion of Jesus, we are called to feel towards compassion. Inspire within us compassion for all those who suffer beings. Restrain us from inflicting hurt and pain on others, following the example of Jesus himself.

Lord, in your mercy. ALL: Hear our prayer. From the Sikh perspective: Amrita Sandhu Lord God, in the Passion of Jesus calls us to serve. Teach us to respect the equality of all people. Give us the humility to value others as we value ourselves and help us to serve their needs, following the example of Jesus himself:

Lord, in your mercy, ALL: Hear our prayer. From the Jewish perspective: Sam Dooley Lord God, in the Passion of Jesus, we face the call to justice. Strengthen us to fight against injustice. Encourage us to defend the innocent and the vulnerable, following the example of Jesus himself.

Lord, in your mercy, ALL: Hear our prayer.