Family Services

All in the Family

REVERAND GILLIAN MOSES

Family Services are an important part of our community life at St Aidan’s. Worshipping together outside of the school day is another important way to create community and has always been important to the Society of the Sacred Advent.

In my time as chaplain, Family Services have faced significant challenges, not least with the restrictions placed upon us by Covid. However, they still provide great opportunities for parents and their daughters, along with other siblings and even grandparents to gather together, to celebrate particular contributions from students and to engage in the liturgical life of the school.

This year we have been reimagining Family Services, moving away from Holy Communion which can be challenging for families who are unfamiliar with the liturgies of the Anglican Church. Instead, we have adopted a pattern similar to the Celtic ceilidh service, gathered around music and storytelling. In place of a sermon there is always a time of conversation and reflection. In the Music and Stage Family Service earlier this year, these contributions were particularly present through dance and musical offerings. In the Year 11-12 Family Service the focus was on noticing the small things, and we told stories about microforests and other signs of hope. For the Year 9-10 Family Service the focus was on balance and taking time out to just reflect and give thanks for our community. Candle lighting was also involved!

Sometimes, the thought of one more commitment after hours can seem like too much in our busy lives. While there is an expectation that students and staff prioritise the family services, I also hope that families will welcome these times to gather with their daughters and their teachers to celebrate our belonging together as a community of faith (and faiths), and the many gifts we bring. Our family services remind us that we are more than a school; we are a true community founded by the SSA to be a place of worship and belonging.