Walking on water at St James's School

Meet the Jesus Christ Lizard, so-called because he has mastered the art of walking on water.

It wasn't so much the lizard, as the real Jesus Christ and his astonishing walking-on-the-water-feat as related by St Matthew's Gospel that was the theme of the beginning of term service for St James's School this morning in the church.

The children poured into the church and suddenly the building was filled with happy smiling faces, eagerly awaiting the challenges of a new term.

New headboys and head girls were announced and then our service started.

Three children helped me act out the night time encounter between Jesus and the disciples out in the middle of the lake.

The disciples were terrified. They thought it was a ghost. Then Jesus said 'It is I. Don't be afraid.'

Then Peter says 'tell me to come.'

And when Jesus says 'come' (his word giving Peter the power to do the otherwise impossible), Peter, too, starts to walk on the water.

Then he starts to sink - when he 'noticed the strong wind' and started to be afraid. Then Jesus grabbed him. Then they worshipped him and said 'truly, you are the Son of God.'

Starting off in a new class, or with a new teacher, or on a new site, can be scary, but Jesus knows every boy and girl. He loves them. And if you ever start to sink, he can grab hold of you.

So let's keep believing and trusting in Jesus in our school this new term.