DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
On 18th August, I was grateful to be installed as the second Principal of LORDS by the First Assistant Bishop of Mission, Rev David Schmidt. This occasion was attended by a collection of dignitaries, my family and friends, members and contributors to the LORDS community, staff, students, and the founding Principal.
Installation is a special tradition within Lutheran Schools where the Principal effectively pledges to serve their community to the best of their ability and is then received into the community through the sharing of welcomes. At the end of the formal proceedings, I had the opportunity to speak to the community for the first time after being officially installed.
Given the limited space available, the many representatives from other schools and all the students and staff from Year 6 to 12 were in attendance; there was limited opportunity for other community members and parents to attend.
For the article and devotional thought this week, I thought it appropriate to share the speech I gave at my installation with the community in the LORDS Voice. It includes my reflection on Proverbs 3:5-6 and some of my thoughts as I begin this new chapter as the Principal of LORDS.
Principal Installation Presentation to the Community
Since arriving at LORDS, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the welcome extended to me by students, staff, families, the Parish, and the broader community. To our special guests and dignitaries here today, thank you for your presence and for the many different ways you support both me and this school.
I want to acknowledge and thank the District Church Board, Executive Director of LEQ, Mrs Tanya Crooks, and Chair of the LORDS School Council, Mrs Karen Koehler, for your endorsement and trust in me to fulfil the role of Principal at LORDS.
I also want to acknowledge LORDS' founding Principal, Ms Jodie Hoff. What we see around us today exists because of the vision, faith, and enormous commitment of you and those who have served alongside you since LORDS opened its doors in 2012 and since 2001, when the land was purchased. It is a privilege to continue your work at LORDS and honour that foundation. I’m looking forward to faithfully leading the community as we journey together and discover our next chapter.
Collectively, we are a school committed to learning for life, to growing relationships and to service. As staff and supporters, we aim toward ‘Inspiring Great Humans’. This means helping our young people discover their gifts, flourish, and use those gifts in service of others. Students, what an amazing thing that is for someone to say: we want to inspire you to be the best you can be, to grow academically, physically, socially, and spiritually, and to make a difference in the world. Importantly, when we say this, people always default to Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, but you have the ability to brighten someone’s day every time you interact with them. Believe it or not, that is showing God’s love and making the world a better place too.
As we look towards what comes next, I have been reflecting on Proverbs 3:5–6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
These words were shared with me a couple of years ago as a new leader in Lutheran schools, and I think they speak beautifully to the journey ahead of us. We will make plans. We will have hopes for LORDS, and there will undoubtedly be opportunities and challenges that we haven’t even considered. But through all of it, God must remain at the centre. We need to remain faithful, to pray, to seek His wisdom, and to submit our plans to His purpose. And so, walk forward together, humbly with our God, trusting that He will make our paths straight.
I am thankful. Thankful for this community, the opportunity to serve, and for the privilege of now being part of the LORDS story. I look forward with great hope to all that lies ahead of us as we discover our next chapter together.
- This LORDS Voice, we will be praying for families in our community and their needs: Campbell, Carnie, Carpenter, Carr, Carran, Carroll.
- Thank you for blessing us with such a sure foundation of faith, learning for life, service, and the building of relationships. In particular, we thank you for our founders and Ms Hoff for this solid ground.
- Pray for our students participating in upcoming camps and experiences, particularly the Year 8 Camp to Kindilan and the Year 6 Camp to Canberra. We pray for safety and an outstanding opportunity for learning and growth.
- Thank you for providing for our needs and blessing us. We pray you would continue to keep us from harm and danger. Into your hands we commend ourselves, our school and all things.
