At Ark Charter Academy, the daily act of Collective Worship is viewed as an integral and important part of school life. Through this and in the general ethos of the school, we seek to promote our Christian values. It is a time where we come together to share our love of God and to celebrate our achievements (and sometimes failures) together. The worship of the school is based on promoting the Christian values which permeate the ethos of the school. As such, the contributions of staff, students, church clergy and other visitors are valued highly.

Value for Spring 2

This half term we will be focusing on the Christian value of justice as well as exploring our understanding of lent and reflecting on the true meaning of Easter.

When thinking about ‘justice’, some people think first about giving wrongdoers the punishment they deserve. However, that would be a one-sided picture of justice. Justice also means giving all people – particularly the poor and oppressed – what it is right and fair for them to have: life, health, freedom and dignity. It is about acting out of a concern for what is right. It is about social justice, especially for those who suffer most and are least able to protect themselves.

The Bible emphasises that ‘The righteous care about justice for the poor’ (Proverbs 29:7). Isaiah says: ‘Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow’ (Isaiah 1:17). Justice is the ‘plumb line’ by which society is measured (Isaiah 29:17).

Justice is not about a culture which encourages everyone to insist on their own rights at the expense of others. It is about a community that knows that everyone’s well-being is bound up with that of everyone else. A commitment to justice leads to opposition to injustice in whatever form it may be found. Justice is a pre-requisite of peace: without justice there can be no peace.

As part of our weekly worship, we will be exploring themes of:

· Justice for the poor

· Standing up for others when they are treated unjustly

· Making a difference

· Including others.