Bickershaw Church of England Primary School

Koinonia at Bickershaw

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15: 7

This word has a rich variety of meanings: fellowship; community; union; partnership.   It is the same word as is used for animals which are yoked together and thus work together as a pair, sharing the burden equally.

In Christian teaching “koinonia” describes how Christians come together as a family, with believers being regarded as “children of God” and brothers and sisters in Christ (see John chapter 17). Corinthians chapter 12  verses 12-31 gives us the picture of the Church as being like a body—in a body different parts have different functions, but each part is an important part of the whole. If something were missing, the body would be incomplete and not able to function so well.  As we all know, if one part of the body is in pain, the whole part is affected. In the same way, the members of a family are interdependent: all are needed and valued and each person is important to the whole—this is the message for the Church… and for our school.

Examples of Bible stories that promote Koinonia

How do we promote Koinonia at Bickershaw?

• Ensuring that all members of the community are welcomed
• Pupils support each other through buddy systems
• School Council is a valued part of the school community and their role is developing all the time to have a clear ownership of the school’s values and vision
• Use of the Lord’s prayer, familiar graces and a bank of other prayers that become familiar to the children
• Acts of worship share the Christian values
• Pupils participate in worship
• Opportunity to learn about and take part in the Eucharist

School is at the heart of the local community – …'a beacon of love, care and compassion in the community.’ SIAMS 2017