Chapel & Community Service

List of 9 items.

• Lower School Lessons

  In grades 1-2, the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Bible are taught to students through storytelling. In grades 3-6, students hear lessons from Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospels, and the Epistles, following the Revised Common Lectionary. In addition to lessons from the Bible, students learn about Christian holidays and the lives of the saints. Students also get the opportunity to learn about other religious traditions and regularly hear from guest speakers about a variety of relevant topics.

• Middle School Lessons

  In Middle School, students are introduced to more complex theological issues through faithful interpretation of Biblical texts from both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Bible. Lessons follow the Revised Common Lectionary. From these readings, students explore a range of spiritual and moral themes such as community, friendship, forgiveness, compassion, honesty, decision-making, identity, and service to others, just to name a few. Chapel lessons also follow the themes of the Anglican liturgical calendar.
  
  

  In addition to lessons from the Bible, students learn about Christian holidays and the lives of the saints. Special chapel services are held on St. Andrew's Day, Lessons and Carols, All Saints' Day, Ash Wednesday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veteran's Day, and St. Francis Day. Students also get the opportunity to learn about other religious traditions and regularly hear from guest speakers about a variety of relevant topics.

• Lower School Prayer

  Each day, personal and community prayers are raised up during chapel time. As a result of this daily practice, students learn about the importance of prayer in response to the concerns and celebrations of life.

• Middle School Prayer

  Each day in chapel, personal and community prayers are raised up during chapel time. As a result of this daily practice, students learn about the importance of prayer in response to the concerns and celebrations of life. Students may tell Ms. Brandon or their teachers if they have prayer requests.

• Lower School Music

  As an offering of praise to God, students learn age-appropriate liturgical music using the Hymnal 1982. Chapel music is accompanied by piano on most days and guitar on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, students have "Hymn Practice" with their music teachers, where they learn new songs and practice old ones. Students also get the opportunity throughout the year to hear chapel concerts from their peers and from guest performers.

• Middle School Music

  As an offering of praise to God, students learn age-appropriate liturgical music using the Hymnal 1982 and other supplementary resources. Chapel music is accompanied by piano on most days and guitar on Tuesdays. Students also get the opportunity throughout the year to hear chapel concerts from their peers and from guest performers.

• Middle School Liturgy

  The daily chapel service follows the Morning Prayer Rite 2 service from the Book of Common Prayer.

• Lower School Student Participation

  Beginning in the first grade, students serve as acolytes who are responsible for extinguishing the candles at the end of the service. In the third grade students also have the opportunity to read the Psalm appointed for the day. Students are also encouraged to offer their talents and gifts in chapel, such as reading a favorite book, telling about an important tradition or object, singing a song, etc.
  
  

  Students, parents, and faculty are supported in their spiritual and pastoral needs by Lower School/Middle School Chaplain Ashley Brandon and Head of School Melissa Grubb.

• Middle School Student Participation

  Student participation is an important part of chapel life. All students are expected to participate in chapel, though students of other faith backgrounds may choose to participate by sitting quietly during the service. Each student has the opportunity to acolyte and read the Bible lesson of the day. English and History teachers help each student hone their public reading skills so that students will feel confident reading from the Bible in front of the entire Middle School community.
  
  

  Each student advisory has the opportunity to completely organize and lead one chapel service each year. These services usually fall on Fridays, and parents are encouraged to attend.
  
  

  Middle School faculty members also contribute by sharing personal experiences with students in the form of chapel talks. The goal of the chapel talk time is to demonstrate the wisdom and insight gained through personal experience. The faculty share with the community during chapel on Wednesdays.
  
  

  All are welcome and encouraged to attend the Middle School daily worship service.