Faithful in the Small Things: Community Prayers Term 3

Our Term 3 Community Prayers service brought staff and students together in worship and thanksgiving. The marimba bands led the music, accompanying our congregational singing and bringing their distinctive sound and energy to the service. It was a welcome opportunity for more of our school’s musical ensembles to contribute to worship, reminding us how much our shared experience is enriched by the different musical gifts within our community.

We were pleased to have Revd Ngoako Masanabo return to St Mary’s DSG as our guest preacher. Revd Masanabo, who assisted in the Chaplaincy for a term in 2023, reflected on the importance of faithfulness. Drawing on Jesus’ words in Luke 16:10, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much,” he reminded us that small things matter. Faithfulness is often found in ordinary moments: in carrying out a responsibility, treating someone with kindness or continuing to do what is right when no one is watching. These small acts help to shape the community we share.

The service was also an occasion to acknowledge staff members who are retiring at the end of this year. For them, this was one moment in what will be a series of opportunities for farewells, most of which will be shared with the community in the weeks ahead. We also recognised the faithfulness of members of staff who received long-service awards. This year we celebrated:

Five years

Mrs Monique Barnard-Wagner

Ms Belinda Donnelly

Mrs Odelle Howard

Mr Fortune Makore

Mrs Fortune Manyaka

Miss Mali Mkhize

Mrs Lorraine Ndwambi

Mrs Kamogelo Plaatjies

Mrs Liz Vincent

Mr David Wagner

Ten years

Mrs Fiona Jadrijevic

Miss Olga Netshiozwi

Mrs Jenny Van Staden

Mr Tian Van Wyk

Fifteen years

Miss Irene Mangati

Mr Freddy Rehlamfu

Mrs Louise Whitelaw

Twenty years

Miss Marina Welman

Twenty-five years

Mrs Nkele Ngobeni

Mrs Olga Nel