News from around the Lichfield Foundation Community

A Great Result for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal!

Yet again The King’s School and S. Peter’s School students have demonstrated their huge generosity and love by filling 261 shoeboxes with goodies and gifts to show God’s love to 261 children much less fortunate than themselves.

Students were moved to their efforts by a showing of the film “Love in a Box” which demonstrated very powerfully the huge difference a shoebox full of lovingly chosen teddies, toothpaste and things makes to a child who has never received a Christmas gift. Groups of students have worked together to fill and gift wrap their box – great teamwork, great result!

This year our shoeboxes will make their way to children in the Ukraine, some of them orphans, some of them living lives of extreme poverty. Thanks to everyone who has been involved – Form Staff for their encouragement and support, students for their amazing generosity, and Sixth Form students for their work supporting Forms, sorting out boxes, and carrying them to the transport. This Christmas your thoughtfulness and compassion has given the gift of unimaginable joy. Well done.

The Chaplain.

Pilgrim’s Journey

On Thursday October 2nd the combined forces of Y7 and Y8 students from S. Peter’s and The King’s School made their pilgrim’s journey (in the school minibus … driven by the Chaplain!) to Lichfield Cathedral. “He who would valiant be ‘gainst all disaster, let him in constancy follow the Master!” (words from a hymn about pilgrimage!).

In reality, we had a fantastic time, joining three hundred and fifty students from our Woodard Schools’ family to worship and journey together on this themed day of pilgrimage. The day began with the ultra-talented CJM Music Group teaching the assembled masses the very contemporary songs and sung responses, as we prepared to share in the Eucharist together. The worship of cheering, clapping and heartfelt singing did indeed raise the roof!

The Eucharist which followed was a wonderful occasion, with students from a wide range of schools gathered around the table in God’s presence. A colourful, spiritual, engaged, lively, moving and holy celebration. An unforgettable experience for all concerned - a glimpse of the heavenly banquet!

But not enough time for lunch as we were running late! So a mad scramble to visit the (very few) toilets, the (very crowded) shop and eat the (very quick) lunch before the afternoon activities. This was a whistle-stop pilgrim’s progress around various parts of the cathedral, learning about the varied symbolism of this awe-inspiring building, and the activities that pilgrims would have undertaken – including foot washing and repenting of the past by burning it (a real favourite!).

As we got back on the minibus (some still eating their lunch!) one student commented that this was “the best school trip ever!” “There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent, the first avowed intent to be a pilgrim!”

Many thanks to Mr. Cooper (S. Peter’s) and Ms. Everett (The King’s) for their great support in making this such a good event.

The Chaplain.