Christian Foundation
Chapel
James Dilworth’s Will requires the Trustees to ensure that Dilworth students be given a Christian Education, grounded in the traditions of the Anglican Church. Accordingly, the school is affiliated to The Anglican Church in Aotearoa – New Zealand. The Bishop of Auckland serves as the school’s Episcopal Visitor and visits the school on a regular basis, reporting both to the Trustees and to the Anglican Church.
Chapel services are central to the spiritual life at the school. Two days a week, each Campus assembles for a brief service of Morning Prayer. On Sunday evenings, students attend Evening Prayer, held on their Campus when they return from weekend leave. It is expected that parents and guardians of the boys attend these services regularly.
Chapel Services follow the Anglican liturgical year, incorporating Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas. Special services such as Baptisms, Confirmations and Anzac Day Service are held in the Chapel. Wedding and funeral services are also an integral part of our Chaplaincy as we serve the wider Dilworth school community.
Chapel: Term 2 2013
Francis Chan is a Pastor in the Church. His mother died when he was born and his Father died when he was 12 years old. His early life was very tough. Francis is now a Pastor, he is married to Lisa and they have five children. When his children were born, his own love and desire for them was so strong that it opened his eyes to how much God loves and desires us. Francis wrote these words in his book entitled ‘Crazy Love.’
‘Through this experience, I came to understand that my love and desire for my children is only a faint echo of God’s great love and desire for me and for every person he made…I love my kids so much it hurts.’
In our Chapel services throughout the second term we will be reflecting on and hearing about the ‘Crazy Love’ that God has for us and for His creation.
‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ 1 John 3, verse 1.
Religious Education
Luke 2 verse 40 describes Jesus as a young man in this way: “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the Grace of God was on him.”
This verse encourages us to help young men grow physically well and strong. Secondly, the verse underlines the importance of helping young men grow academically, in wisdom and knowledge. Thirdly, the verse calls young men to grow spiritually, in and through the Grace of God. This holistic and balanced approach underpins our Religious Education Department.
The Chaplain, Reverend Warren Watson and the Religious Education teacher, Mr James Hannah, work together to ensure the boys are given a Christian Education. Students attend one Religious Education lesson per week.
Junior Campus
RE at the Junior Campus is focused on developing Biblical knowledge and Christian Values. Classroom activities include using drama, written activities, games and multi-media.
Rural Campus
Living and working in a rural setting, RE at the Rural Campus is based around God’s creation, creative assignments and further Christian knowledge about Jesus. The special connection with the rural environment provides us with the opportunity to link the Bible with what the boys are experiencing through their outdoor pursuits.
Senior Campus
RE at the Senior Campus involves study of the life and times of Jesus and how they relate to life in the 21st Century. There is also an outward focus on local, national and international issues, especially with regard to the Christian faith and how it shapes ethical decision-making. The course work gives an historical overview of the Anglican Church and an introduction to philosophy is also offered to senior students.