The Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School Chaplain, Rev’d Hana Amner Shares a Reflection of New Beginnings

This year so far has reminded me how God often works in the unexpected. What begins as a small, uncertain step can blossom in ways we never imagine.

Recently, after school at Bishops’, the Prayer Space has quietly become a place of life and curiosity. Up to thirty students gather weekly to share pizza and explore the Christian faith through the Alpha course. I honestly did not know if it would take root, yet week by week it has grown into something special. It has been a delight to see people from different churches come to facilitate and support our students. And it seems they aren’t just coming for free pizza! but for the chance to ask questions and explore life and faith together.

We are also seeing growth in our school Christian dance group 'Pneuma’. As our choreographers have stepped back to focus on GCSEs, younger students have stepped up to take their place and new students are joining the group on a regular basis. They are currently preparing for Holy Week and creating a dance that explores a Christian message around darkness and light, which will be performed not just in school, but also locally. We have also had a number of students come together to start a school worship band. 

These are unexpected beginnings that God is shaping into something far greater than we could plan. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “God is not hurried along in the time-process of this world.” Faith grows in ways we do not expect and in timing we cannot plan. Sometimes we just need to take the risk and see what happens. Perhaps it won't blossom, but we will never know if we don’t try.

In classrooms, prayer spaces, and creative projects, at home and in our communities, God is at work, inspiring a new generation. 

 School Chaplain, Rev’d Hana Amner