Gospel reading followed to feed needy

SING-A-LONG: Bishop Justin teaches pupils an action song about - fittingly - fruit salad.

Hadlow School may not be able to feed 5000 people - but it donated enough to help out the Masterton Food Bank.

Pupils brought cans of food to their weekly Friday chapel service, which was presided over by Bishop of Wellington Justin Duckworth.

Bishop Justin gave a sermon on Jesus Christ "feeding the five thousand" with loaves and fishes, and then blessed the children's donations of food, which will later be taken to the food bank.

"We thought we'd do something practical to tie into the gospel reading," said Hadlow principal Michael Mercer.

"We might not feed 5000 people, but at least we'll be able to feed some people."

Afterwards, Bishop Justin taught the children an action song about fruit salad, sung to the tune of Frre Jacques, and a game where they had to catch each other's thumbs - representing seizing the seed God plants in His people.

"The kids loved it. Bishop Justin thoroughly enjoyed himself as well," said Mr Mercer.

Bishop Justin is currently on a school tour of the Wellington Diocese, spending a day at each Anglican school in the region.

Lynda Feringa called in to the chapel service.