Joining Together in Grief and Joy
A message from Bonnie Lang on behalf of our principal David Gleeson
The Earth is the Lord’s
Throughout the Christian Bible we are encouraged to supportively share one another’s sadness and joys. The Apostle Paul, one of the most recognised writers in the Christian Bible said this:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep”.
This week, with sadness combined with a heart full of hope, I am letting our community know of the very recent passing of Mr Gleeson’s beautiful wife, Jennifer Gleeson.
We are weeping with David and his family. I myself, have had the privilege of knowing Jennifer, for some 30 years and our world is poorer for her passing. She was one who loved and was loved genuinely. She had an unshakable faith in Christ, and a heart that beat with care and consideration for others. In Mr Gleeson’s own words and with his permission to share. “The Lord Jesus Christ has Jenny in His care now. She was a remarkable warrior.”
I always feel very privileged to serve at Melton Christian College, but there are times when there are extra meaningful moments where our staff are amazing and journeying with them is a privilege. When we were made aware of the passing of Jennifer Gleeson this week, our staff were given the opportunity to gather to honour her and pray for Mr Gleeson and his family. The staff did gather, and seeing our school auditorium full, with the staff gathering as one heart in a thoughtful and respectful way, raised hope among us all. We are a part of a beautiful community that is centred on Christ and His love, and for this, I am so grateful.
Our Christian life calls us to a peculiar coexistence of deep joy and genuine gratitude in God’s love and truth, alongside an equally authentic empathy for others in times of their sadness. Because we are Christians, we find peace in knowing Christ’s truth that death is a doorway into new life. Jesus taught that death does not mark the end. In our human hearts we feel a yearning for the hoped for fulfilment that only God can bring. Yet of course, at the same time as being filled with hope, it is right and good that in Christian community we weep with those who weep.
We invite you to join us in praying for David and the Gleeson family as they navigate this time together.
bonnie lang, head of pastoral care