Across around 150 schools and nearly 900 acts of collective worship, one small bronze beautifully crafted boat from Rome has quietly become the centrepiece of Project Touchline. What began as an artisan-crafted candle boat has gradually become something far deeper.

Over time, our boat has come to symbolise journey, belonging, calm in the storm, faith through uncertainty, and travelling together with Christ at the centre. As a result, these themes now help shape the experience of many Christian Collective Worship in Schools. The boat creates a focus for reflection, prayer, stillness, and spiritual growth.

The Meaning Behind the Boat

In Scripture, boats are often places where ordinary people encounter the extraordinary presence of God:

• Noah and the ark
• Jesus calming the storm
• The disciples called from their nets
• Peter stepping out onto the water

Again and again, boats become places of trust, courage, calling, and transformation. Ordinary people discovering extraordinary faith.

The Three Candle Symbol

The three candles remind us of:

• Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Faith, hope and love
• Listening, loving and learning

One school beautifully described it like this:

“The boat embodies the entire journey of faith — facing challenges, relying on Jesus for guidance, finding purpose, and collectively moving toward spiritual growth and communion with God.”

A Symbol Shared by Schools

What has been especially moving is seeing schools create their own boats for prayer clubs and worship spaces.

These simple symbols represent communities travelling together with Christ at the centre. Furthermore, Collective Worship has been strengthened through sharing these symbols together. Many staff say the boat helps children feel part of something bigger than themselves. It helps children experience Christian faith as something lived, embodied, shared, and remembered together.

In a noisy and fragmented world, children often respond deeply to symbols that quietly communicate:

You are safe
You belong
You are not alone
God is with us in the boat

One school beautifully described it like this:

“The boat embodies the entire journey of faith — facing challenges, relying on Jesus for guidance, finding purpose, and collectively moving toward spiritual growth and communion with God.”