It was an unusual sight, 350 boys from Scotch College Middle School pouring into Uniting Church in the City (UCIC) Wesley Perth on a wet and blustery morning in the CBD. The Year 7 and 8 boys were experiencing ‘Church in the City’ – a special excursion to get a better understanding of the heritage and identity of Scotch College as a school of the Uniting Church in Australia.
The boys were welcomed by Rev Frances Hadfield, Minister at UCIC, who described the early beginnings of Methodism in Western Australia and the present-day role of UCIC Wesley Perth as a place of worship in the city.
The service was led by myself, Rev Justine Wall, Chaplain at Scotch College, with guest preacher Rev Andrew Syme, Executive Officer for Schools and Residential Colleges for the Uniting Church WA, and the former Headmaster of Scotch College. Andrew spoke about servant leadership and the importance of personal health and well-being. The Scotch Chapel Band and Year 7 vocalists, Heydar Ismayilov and Guy Teissier, led the singing of Stand By Me and True Colours.
It was a truly joyous occasion and heartening to see one of our historic churches in the city crowded with young men engaging in worship. Scotch College plans to make this an annual event for its Middle School.
Justine Wall
