CHAPLAINCY
Keepers of the Sacred EMBRACE the community
By The Rev. Phillip Craig, OES Head Chaplain
The role of chaplains has evolved from guarding holy relics to nurturing the community’s spirit.
Number of Episcopal schools: Over 1200 Number of PreK-12 independent day and boarding Episcopal schools: about two dozen Average proportion of Episcopalians at an Episcopal school: 25% Average proportion of Episcopalians at OES: 12-14%
At right, Lower School Chaplain, The Rev. Jenny Cleveland hugs Rebecca B. ’20, who has just received her certificate of completion of the fifth grade. At far right, Upper School Chaplain Liz Harlan-Ferlo chats with students.
Thanks to the National Association of Episcopal Schools for inspiration for some of the ideas expressed in this article.
the king on both religious and non-religious issues. So began a tradition of clergy who were connected not to a church but to a different institution—the military, hospitals, prisons, and schools—who tended to sacred moments and cared for the people within that institution. Tat is the role of chaplains at OES today. Each division has a chaplain, with the head chaplain serving on the Administrative Team and also as chaplain to the Middle School. Tey serve the community in a number of ways: IN THE CHAPEL: Te chaplains create Chapel services
I 12 Oregon Episcopal School
that are open, welcoming, and inclusive. Tey honor the Episcopal heritage of the school and also celebrate the faith traditions of all students and families. Chapels are a wholly different kind of intentional time and sacred space in the flow of the school schedule.
IN THE CLASSROOM: A broad and engaging
religion curriculum is a part of the Episcopal school experience, and the chaplains are committed to this part of the OES education. However, teachers other than chaplains teach religion classes, and chaplains teach outside of the religion curriculum. IN THE MIDST OF SOCIAL NEEDS AND CONCERN: Te chaplains take seriously the charge from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer to “respect the dignity of every human being.” By word and action, the chaplains promote conversations around justice and peace, inclusivity, responsibility, and love for others. In other words, the chaplains can be found fully
grounded in the midst of our school’s mission— always open in their support of every member of the community to realize their power for good.
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n the early Christian church, chaplains tended the chapel and guarded the sacred items, known then as “holy relics.” After almost 500 years Charlemagne decided to bring the holy relics out of the chapel and into his palace. In doing so, he brought the chaplains as well. Chaplains not only guarded the relics but also presided over religious services in the palace, helped with bookkeeping, and wrote histories and personal documents for the emperor. Tey became advisors to
IN THE MIDST OF COMMUNITY LIFE: Chaplains engage the community during moments of transition and celebration, including the traditional ceremonies of the school. Te chaplains endeavor to be present in the crises of life as well. Tey seek out and comfort students who have suffered a loss of a family member or pet, or whose family is experiencing divorce or other difficulties. Tey are a resource of care and support not only for the students of the school but for their families, as well as faculty and staff and their families. It’s a big congregation!
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