A changing of the guard

A changing of the guard

The solemnity of ANZAC Day has now passed – a time for reflection on heritage, sacrifice and heroism even while, unfortunately, the scourge of armed conflict continues to be a characteristic of our world.
 
An important element of ANZAC Day services is the catafalque party where four members of an armed guard stand, heads bowed and weapons reversed, facing outward from the catafalque as a symbolic form of respect for those who have fallen. Our son, an active Reservist with overseas service, has been privileged to be a part of such remembrance ceremonies on a number of occasions.
 
ANZAC Day gatherings reflect a changing of the guard as younger service men and woman emerge in place of older colleagues who experienced the conflicts of decades’ past.
 
And so it is with life more generally – a never ending changing of the guard. Generations come and go, attitudes evolve and are refined; behaviours and expectations deviate from those of the past; technology matures at a rapid, even accelerating, pace helping to change society.
 
‘’If you don’t have a sense of where you come from how will you know where you are going?’’ is an adage that continues to ring true – leading in part to many television programs seeking to trace peoples’ ancestry so as to solidify a sense of belonging.
 
Understanding and respecting the past also applies among our indigenous colleagues as they rely upon and publicly pay respect to their elders who have a profound and continuing influence on their society.
 
And now change has come to the Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy.
 
Karen Paull, the inaugural Chaplain, has moved to the NSW South Coast to provide chaplaincy and practical support to communities still struggling to overcome the aftermath of ferocious bush fires.
 
In her stead we are delighted to welcome Liam McKenna who brings a wealth of experience in community interaction and support from the UK and, more recently, broadly similar roles elsewhere in the Lower North Shore.
 
With the changing of the guard have been fond farewells and encouraging welcomes. You can reach out to Liam via lanecovechaplain@gmail.com  or 0404 596-592.

As the circumstances of your life evolve and especially in the busyness of life, make a conscious effort to reach out to family and friends. Their influence and support contribute to who you are and, in turn, to a richer, supportive community for all.
 
 Peter and the Chaplaincy team