Chaplain leaves with a song and a prayer

Has it been worth it? That’s the question School Chaplain Greg Webster asked himself in his final chapel service after 26 years at Trinity.

He did not answer immediately but when he did it was with a resounding affirmation.

“Absolutely it has been worth it,” he told students.

“Why? Because you are worth it.”

After telling students the biblical story of the shepherd leaving his flock to search for one lost sheep, he said: “You might not think you are precious in God’s sight. But think about the shepherd who left the 99 for the one.

“His heart burns for the one. He searches for the lost sheep. God has this crazy obsession of love for those who are lost. We sometimes call it God’s grace.”

He invoked that grace in music when he opened the service playing the guitar and singing Amazing Grace.

Mr Webster, who left Trinity to become pastor of Christ Church, Lavender Bay, invited students to visit him there.

He gave them directions for turning off the Harbour Bridge but said even if they weren’t visiting “I would love it if you pray for me whenever you pass the turn-off”.

He estimated he had taught 9,500 periods of Christian Studies, Science, Maths and Theory Of Knowledge during his time at the School.

“Some were awesome, others I was saying to myself, ‘I wish the bell would ring’ and the students were probably thinking, ‘I wish the bell would ring’ as well.”

He saw 6,900 students go through the Summer Hill campus, attended 4,000 quad assemblies, and coached or watched 2,800 hours of rugby, volleyball, cricket and basketball.

Mr Webster was honoured with a number of farewells including a Common Room gathering attended by his daughter Gracie.

Head Master Tim Bowden wished him well at a quad assembly as well as a School Council dinner.

His long-time colleague and friend James Leckie spoke in the Common Room of his years of “devoted and diverse service”, saying his steadfast faith in the grace of God had always been the bedrock of his life and the focus of his career.

Colleagues Brendan Duhigg and Jessica Spratt also paid tribute before staff gave him a standing ovation.

Mr Webster then reiterated what the Head Master had said on quad: “It is a huge privilege to speak of someone greater than oneself, that is, God.”

Click here to watch as he delivered his final sermon in the War Memorial Chapel.