Permanent Prayer Space Opens in GB SchoolPhil Togwell - 23 Jan 2013
Over the last fours years there have been over 350 Prayer Spaces in Schools in GB and Ireland. Many of these spaces are beginning to become more permanent fixtures.
Last week, the Mayor of Thurrock, East of London, and other local leaders gathered in front of a newly built Contemplation Space in St Clere’s School to participate in it’s official opening. “You could feel the sense of pride,” wrote YourThurrock’s reporter.
I have to confess, I was surprised to be asked to ‘cut the ribbon and declare it open’. It was an honour and a privilege to do so, but on reflection there are many others who could (and maybe should) have done it instead of me.
Carla Taylor, for example. Carla and her team, including Lucy Jones and Sally Harman, from the 24-7 Prayer community in Stanford-le-Hope community have hosted prayer spaces in St Cleres School (as well as other schools) over the past three years. Almost everyone who spoke at the official opening thanked and commended Carla for her enthusiasm and her service to the school community.
Many of the speakers mentioned Angela Jellico, the Head of R.E. at St Clere’s, as well. Angela has dreamed and schemed to make the permanent prayer space happen for a long time, and it is likely to be Angela who will champion it’s ongoing place in the life and soul of the school, making sure it is accessible to everyone.
And of course, none of this would have happened without the vision and persistence of the previous Head teacher, Paul Griffin, and the current Head teacher at St Clere’s, Ashley Hughes. Any of these people could have cut the ribbon, because all of them have played a part in turning a dream into reality, and they have all made a way open for the staff and students of St Clere’s to pause and reflect, contemplate and pray.
In closing, the Mayor of Thurrock, Yash Gupta, admitted that he hadn’t really known what he was coming to, but he was impressed by what he’d seen:
“We all need space in our lives to stop, think and find solutions.”
The official opening was announced on YourThurrock’s website with a video of the various speeches, vocal performances by students, and me ‘cutting the ribbon.'
Phil leads the Prayer Spaces in Schools teams, as well as the Anglican Diocese of Durham’sPrayer Project. He’s worked in a wide range of Youth and Community settings and also served at 24-7’s UK Director for 7 years. Phil lives by the North Coast of England with his wife, daughters and dogs.
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