Shepherds, Sheep, and Penguins!

Date: Friday 5 September 2008

The Revd Dr Ian Terry has arrived, and was licensed today as Chaplain of St Edmund's School in a service conducted by Stephen Venner, the Bishop of Dover in Canterbury. In the presence of the whole of the Senior School, academic and support staff, and the Chairman of the Governors, Mr Michael Terry, Dr Terry was formally 'inducted' and warmly welcomed into the School family.

At the heart of the service was the theme of the 'good shepherd', the leader who knows himself and his flock, and who is prepared to sacrifice himself for them. Bishop Stephen adjusted the message to, and from, the penguin community - he is responsible for the Church in the Falkland Islands, where there are as many penguins as sheep! Penguins, in supporting one another and their youngsters, would appear to personify Jesus' message from St John's Gospel!

The tenor of the service was enhanced by lusty singing of two well-known hymns, the gospel reading from Mrs Mander, the sheer traditional formality of the words of the licensing documents, heartfelt welcomes from senior staff and pupils, carefully constructed prayers from our Senior Housemaster, Dr Braddy, and the anthem from the Chamber Choir - performing after just one day of term! - Charles Wood's 'Exspectans, Exspectavi'.

So, the formalities are over, with Ian Terry confirmed in position as successor to Melanie Horton, and a whole panoply of chaplains from the last four decades. We all wish him every success in his new role, and a long association with St Edmund's - filled with 'holy joy'!