I’ve been reflecting over the bible stories that might speak about the exams season.

I’ve looked an d at no point does it suggest that any of the disciples or the great leaders of God’s people ever had to sit a ninety minute test up a small table in a large hall full of people. Or sit their SATS, pass their GCSEs or complete their A Levels.

But there were times of being tested and waiting for the time to pass.

There’s a tension in the air, people are hurrying by speaking in hushed tones waiting for the thing to happen. Serious things are afoot, the next steps are going to be harder for some than for others. Everyone is affected, no one is immune to what is going on.

But the preparation has been done, the people are ready and they sit IN FAITH and know that God is on their side. And so the Spirit of God moves over Egypt and tests the nation. And those that are faithful, those who take peace in God’s presence are rewarded. Similarly the disciples, sat in the upper room - waiting for the next steps to be shown to them - wait in faith and take peace from Jesus’ presence. And they are rewarded with the gifts of words and inspiration and courage.

We pray God’s Blessing on those who are preparing for and sitting their tests at this time.

For the parents supporting them and trying to reduce their anxiety.

For the staff who are encouraging them and reminding them and reassuring them.

For the exam staff overseeing them.

May they feel God’s presence in those places, may they take courage from all that they have done that prepares them for this time, and may they be at peace with what they have been able to achieve.

In God’s name we pray. Amen

The Journey to Easter for Jesus and the Disciples was such a roller coaster of emotions:

From the joy of the people as Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem, to the shouts of crucify as Jesus was put before the people. Judged unfairly, punished cruelly, and painfully killed. 

From the tears of sorrow at the cross to tears of celebration at the resurrection. 

Our journey through life often echoes the rollercoaster of Easter. New life comes through planting in darkness. The seed is planted even though it appears lifeless, the egg that is laid is similarly without movement or feature but life comes forth, flowers grow between the stones because life has a way of finding a way to grow and flourish.

As much as we wish to celebrate, sometimes we have hard work to do or go through tough times to get there. In this Easter Season, let us pray for light and life to encourage us to give thanks and celebrate.

Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification:

Grant that we may put aside all evil and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

May God bless you this Easter.

May the cross remind you the Jesus came to bless you.

May the empty tomb remind you that sin has been between for you.

And May the signs of new life around you remind you of the living Spirit of God that goes with you through life. Amen.

Yesterday was Gaudete Sunday (pronounced Gow-det-ay). It’s one of the days of the year where priests can where Pink if they want (I didn’t!).

 It reminds us to rejoice and find joy where we can.

Mary sings of her joy in being chosen. Paul reminds us to Rejoice in the Lord always.

 At this time, we are in a countdown. The last nativity play before Christmas, the last few days before the end of term, the last few sleeps until Christmas.

How will you count down? Are there traditions that you have to close down and get ready for the season.

 Christmas holds many things for many people – firsts for some, lasts for others. But regardless of how it hits you – it takes great skill to find joy where you can.

The joy of a life well-lived. The joy of an innocent smile. 

The joy of a song sung nicely. The joy of a heart-warming welcome.

 However the week takes you. 

May you find glimpses of joy in amongst the stresses and strains.

May the joy of the angels bring good news to you.

Amen

The Future is in Your Hands.

It’s a funny thing to say really and I wonder what comes to mind when people say that to you or about our community or our world.

My initial action often is to look at my hands. 

I wonder when was the last time you looked at your hands and really took notice of them. What story do they tell about you? Sherlock Holmes believed that hands could tell someone’s occupation, their lifestyle choices and their history. Some people look at hands and try to tell stories of the future based on the lines and marks upon the hands.

I wonder if you look at your hands and consider whether the future is within them?

Many of our students are about to take assessments, mock exams and tests. What words or figures they write, what art they create may determine the next part of their future. As adults - what we write, how we create our online selves and what we work at - may also form parts of our future.

The Bible also talks of hands – we are held in the palms of God’s hands, the safest place to be. Jesus uses caring hands to heal and to hold, to break down barriers. At the time of the crucifixion, his hands hold him to the cross in order to show his love for the world and all those within it.

Take a moment just now. 

Hold your hands out in front of you and consider:

What will I achieve with my hands today? 

What kindness can I do, what help can I offer?

And then offer a prayer to God:

Into your hands O Lord, I put my trust.

In your hands O God, may I feel the strength that I need.

Amen.

This week I have been talking to staff and students about stepladders.

I even dragged around some ladders for staff to look at and reflect upon.

I encouraged them to think about us all being on a stepladder in life. Some are starting on the bottom step, whilst others have got to the top and are changing the ladders that they are on.

Our Nursery and Reception children will be taking their early steps on their Primary Ladder. Our Year 7s will be stepping onto their Secondary Ladder. Our older students will be stepping into GCSEs or stepping onto Post 16 and Post 18 courses and apprenticeship ladders.

Even us as adults are on career ladders, life ladders, health ladders or property ladders.

As we reflect on this, maybe consider where you are at the moment and if you are able to offer others a hand up or encouragement to keep climbing. Maybe you could be supporting and praying for your family members who are starting new things, ending certain stages or finding the climb tough.

Our God reaches out to us. Whenever God sent messages they were reassuring messages of ‘Do not be afraid’. God strengthens us and guides us when we have faith.

My prayer for you is that wherever you are on Life’s ladders, you understand that there are a great cloud of witnesses, in heaven and on Earth, cheering you on and willing you to succeed and find joy in all that you do.

Remember too that if you or your child or young people, are having a hard time – there are people around you (me included) that can support you and pray with you if you would like that. Seek them out or contact me in school and I will be happy to help where I can.

Take it one step at a time. We can do this.

So last week saw the SATS for year 6 children. This coming week sees the SATS for year 2s and the beginning of the exam season for year 11 and 13: GCSEs,  ‘A’ Levels and BTECs.

It is a testing time.

For our students, there are moments when they have to dive into the depths of the knowledge they’ve received in order to make some sense of it on paper. For our staff there are moments of questioning of themselves – did we do enough, did we remember everything, will they remember everything, will they be ok? Our parents too will be worried about their young people’s performance, they will worry whether they have had breakfast, are they well rested, are they calm and relaxed, have they remembered to take a pen.

During our lives there are testing times but maybe not like the exams that are being set for our young people. There are decisions to be made, judgements to call, choices to pick. It reminds me of the lines in Ecclesiastes 3 about there being a time for everything and everything has its opposite – maybe there should be a line which says ‘there is a time for testing and time for resting’.

But through out all these things – whether we are a child, a young person or an adult – there are things we can do to deal with these testing times in the best ways possible.

The first is to PRAY – spend some time in quiet, not speaking, just breathing and listening for God. Offer up to God your stress and your anxieties, offer up the confusion and the impact of what you are facing. Imagine leaving your test with God, imagine being given the answer.

The next is PREPARE – think through what you have to do. I find it helps me to draw or write what is on my mind and make some lists. Have the conversations in your head about what you need to say. Often a sense of being well prepared helps us to reduce our stress levels and be clear about what we want to happen next.

Finally – and this is not an exhaustive list of everything – PARTNERS. Feeling alone is the biggest thing to make us feel powerless and unprepared. Partner with God and ask God to walk with you through whatever you face. Partner with someone who understands you and can support you, who you can talk with and who can ask you questions that make you think. Partner with someone who doesn’t know the details but is there for you regardless. Someone who just wants to see you supported and safe.

Lord God,

As our young people prepare for their testing times, we pray that they feel supported, that they feel well prepared and that they are surrounded by a crowd of supporters encouraging them.

As we go through testing times – whether in work, family, financial, relationship or otherwise, may we remember to pray for your peace, your guidance and your support. May we feel strong enough through your spirit to tackle what lies ahead.

And as we journey through life, send us faithful partners that support us, help us and pray for us as we do the same for them.

May the community support those who need it most. Amen