MLC Chaplains lead the girls in worship at each House's Family Chapel Service

In prayer, song, silence and story, MLC girls experience the cry of life and the call for justice.

In Christian worship the girls

• become explorers of the soul
• open their minds to questions and doubts
• embrace diversity
• celebrate creation and faith

In addition to our ongoing rhythm of weekly worship services, pastoral ministry and teaching, the School Chaplains are involved in many other programs.

The Chaplains spend months in preparation with other staff for the Year 12 Camp in Term 4. This camp provides students with the opportunity for self-reflection, community building, awareness raising about social issues and participating in a service project. The Chaplain’s support for this program, transforms an outdoor experience, into an opportunity for spiritual development. The students emerged from this week as a new community ready to face the year ahead.

MLC School is blessed with leaders. In Year/House Chapel Services, the girls decide on themes, choose hymns, write prayers and lead us in worship. MLC School is a diverse community which provides a rich background and context in which faith can be engaged, enriched, developed and lived. MLC senior students host interschool prayer meetings and the School Council hosts an afternoon prayer meeting once every term. Friday mornings begin with a communion service
in the chapel attended by staff and students. The Chaplains began each morning with a time together of prayer and bible reading.

MLC Chaplains lead the MLC students in charity fundraising in response to local, national and international events.

Service learning and charity fundraising is supported by the MLC Chaplaincy. Students continue to initiate activities that include distributing food to needy Sydneysiders, collecting Easter Eggs and Christmas gifts to be distributed to local and rural families, and respond to other needs as local, national and international events occur.

The Chaplains are involved in lunchtime fellowship groups which seek to engage the girls in Christian education and spirituality. The Cru group at Kent House consists of 10 to 12 girls from Years 3-5. JOLT (Jesus Over Lunchtime) is held in Middle School, and ranges from 7 to 8 girls per week. ALIVE is the Senior School group, which meets for Bible Study with the Chaplains, and consists of 7 to 9 girls every week. The Junior and Middle School groups are led by Senior School Christian girls who liaise with the Chaplains every week.

Our girls enjoy discussing with the School Chaplains the ethics of genetic technology, the existence of God or to share a moment of grief or loss.

The liturgical season of Advent commences with a beautiful traditional service of lessons and carols. Choral students perform and lead the MLC community in a variety of carols. The partnership of the Chaplains with the Music Department creates a transcendent atmosphere to welcome the very holy season of Advent.

MLC Chaplains with MLC School Principal (left) and Chairman of Council (right) pictured with Uniting Church officials

Our School Chaplains

As a School within the Uniting Church in Australia MLC School's two Chaplains, provide Christian leadership and support for the School community. Through worship services such as House Chapel, Year Chapel, devotional assemblies and Communion, girls are inspired by them to reflect on and celebrate their relationship with God, the world and others.