Te Sacred Spirit Among Us THE ENDURING CHAPEL TRADITION
By Robert Clark
8:30, 9:00, 11:40, 11:45. Over 900 students and teachers observe the lighting of candles. Tree-year-olds and eighteen-years-olds, struck by the ageless fascination with the eternal flame, stare at the sight -- “let there be light.” Who will speak? Will the acolyte rod go out? Will someone’s hair light on fire? (Unfortunately it happened to a former di- rector!) It’s Friday morning on the Greenway Rise and Belfield campuses.
Since the founding of the school, weekly Chapel services have been a central pillar in the St. Anne’s-Belfield experience. Te altar in Randolph Hall was consecrated in the 1930s and its younger replica, beautifully craſted with reclaimed wood from the old Headmaster’s house, became the new center- piece for services in the Learning Village Au- ditorium. Across the divisions, three guide posts shape the St. Anne’s-Belfield School Chapel experience -- the century-old tradi- tion of our service; the heartfelt community- focus of our sermons, prayers, and music; and a warm openness to religious diversity in our outlook. A journey into Chapel is not an antiquated religious endeavor, but rather reflects the vibrant, evolving heartbeat of the school in the 21st
Century. Century of Tradition
When I first arrived as a young religion teach- er in the Upper School in 1998 and was asked to coordinate Chapel speakers, I saw the ser- mon as the heart of the service. Many share this perspective. I’m oſten asked, “Who’s giv- ing Chapel this Friday?” which means, who’s delivering the sermon? Former Headmaster George Conway, a Presbyterian pastor and valuable mentor, however, cautioned me not to underestimate the necessity of structure and ritual. “Sermons may be the highlight,” I remember him saying, “but ritual carries you throughout the year.” Chapel, indeed, is a major repository of memorable STAB tra- ditions. Te Opening Faculty Chapel in Au-
12 – PERSPECTIVES/SUMMER 2011
gust, Lessons and Carols in December, and Senior Class Chapel in June all reflect the yearly rhythm of school life.
“Lord, open our lips,” the Chapel leader be- gins. “And our mouths shall declare your praise,” the congregation responds. Tis opening Call to Worship spans from kinder- garten to 12th grade. Te recently added Pre- School Chapel begins with a short prayer: “We gather together to ask the Lord's Blessing on these children, these parents and friends.” Middle and Upper School Chapels include an additional response from the prophet Micah -- “what does the Holy One require of us, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God?” -- as well as Responsive Psalms and Prayers of the People (Forms I and II). Tose who are familiar with the Episcopal Church will recognize the heri- tage of the Book of Common Prayer in our order of service. Te shaping influence of Dr. Conway can be found here both in inten- tion and design. In the preface to his recent book, Denial of Sunlight, Upper School sci- ence teacher Bob Troy quoted the Prayers of the People Form I: “for all who defend our freedom and all who seek the Truth.” When he couldn’t locate the exact phrasing in the Book of Common Prayer, he learned that it had been penned by Dr. Conway.
Chapel buddies and the birthday prayer are some of the cherished memories of the Lower School. Te yearlong Chapel-buddy relation- ship pairs kindergartners with 4th
graders as
older mentors. It begins with play dates in the kindergarten classroom (it’s hard to say who enjoys it more), carries through every Chapel service as well as other special assemblies, and culminates in handcraſted “Pourquoi Sto- ries,” written and illustrated by the 4th
grad-
ers as an end-of-the-year giſt to their Chapel buddies. It’s not unusual for an adorable kin- dergartner to nearly fall asleep while sitting on a buddy's lap. Te birthday prayer offers each lower schooler an opportunity to stand
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