Shared Identity: A Sermon for Episcopal Schools' Sunday
Today is the day when we at Christ the King celebrate the largest ministry of our parish – the Tree House Episcopal Montessori School. This day is the culmination of Episcopal Schools’ week, where Episcopal churches and schools all over the country are acknowledging and celebrating our special relationship with one another.
When I was in seminary, an older priest told me that when discerning what sort of parish I might serve, I should, at all costs, avoid two types – ones with cemeteries and ones with parish day schools. In either case, there is simply too much potential for conflict.
Well, since I graduated from seminary, I have served three parishes – one with a historic cemetery and two with parish day schools. And in all three parishes, there were moments when I could hear that priest saying to me, “I told you so.” But I have loved serving at parishes that take on ministries that matter so much to people. It means a lot to me to be a part of things that are so important and meaningful. Because in my experience, the reward has far outweighed the challenges. And that has certainly been the case for me here at Christ the King and the Tree House Episcopal Montessori School.
The past four years, I’ve had the wonderful privilege of experiencing the Tree House not only as the Rector and School Chaplain, but also as a parent. This new perspective as a school parent has reinforced what I already believed to true about the unique and sacred ministry of Episcopal parish day schools. And it reinforced what I already believed to be true about the genius of Montessori education. It has been a true joy for Emily and me to watch both Julian and Madeleine thrive in such an incredible, unique learning environment.
Not too long ago, I received a weekly meditation email from the Rev’d David Madison, the Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools. In it, he was responding to a recent New York Times Op Ed piece addressing the question, “What is School For?” by musing on a more nuanced question: “What are Episcopal schools for?” Here is what he had to say:
1) Episcopal schools are for creating life-long learners. We believe joyful learning begins with supporting curiosity, practicing intellectual openness, and inspiring wonder. We know that students learn best when they feel known, valued, and loved. Our schools give students a foundation for learning that lasts beyond their time on our campuses.
This reminds me of the prayer we say in the Episcopal Church immediately after we baptize someone: “Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.”
And I have experienced first-hand how the Tree House is an environment that encourages life-long learning, because as Katie I lead chapel, we ourselves are continuing to see the stories of the Bible with new eyes.
And the teachers and staff are also life-long learners as they continue to broaden and deepen their knowledge of Montessori Method.
David Madison continued his reflection on what Episcopal Schools are for by saying:
2) Episcopal schools are for cultivating reflection and prayer. We believe that students thrive by building confidence in religious inquiry and encouraging a love of the spiritual quest. We are not afraid to ask big questions. In fact, these inquiries are essential to our Episcopal identity. Through their journey in our schools, students develop a deeper relationship with a loving and liberating God.
Katie and I lead Godly Play Chapel every Wednesday at school. This is one of the highlights of my week, as I get to sit on the floor and share the stories of the Bible with these curious, wonder-filled children. Godly Play is a Montessori-based Christian Education curriculum that was developed by Episcopal priest Dr. Jerome Berryman. As Madison says, we are not afraid to ask big questions. At the end of each Godly Play lesson, instead of telling the children the “moral of the story” so to speak, we instead ask them several “wondering” questions: “I wonder, what was the most important part of this story?” -or- “I wonder, where to you see yourself in this story…which part of it was just for you?”
By inviting the children to ponder these questions – to participate in “religious inquiry” - we are involving them in the learning process instead of just telling them things. And it is a joy to witness this process every week!
And lastly, Madison says that:
3) Episcopal schools are for creating people for others. Moral development, grounded in grace and love of God, points young people toward service; a life guided by love for others. It reminds them (and us) that Jesus summarized the entirety of the law with two commands: Love God and love others.
I have never witnessed a more kind, nurturing, loving environment than the Tree House Episcopal Montessori School. Again, I have experienced it first as the Rector and Chaplain, but now I am having the privilege of experiencing it as a parent. In a world that can be harsh and anything but loving, first Julian and now Madeleine and all of their peers are being formed in a Love that is far deeper than just the Golden Rule. They are being formed in a Love that originates from the God who created them and all their peers. And this God created them to live a life grounded in their love for Him and their love for others.
Madison concludes by observing that “schools exist for a variety of reasons. Episcopal schools, however, answer this question in a more unified way. Guided by our shared Episcopal identity, we are fortunate to be part of communities that are making a difference in the lives of young people each and every day.”
I love Madison’s use of the phrase “shared identity.” It truly comes back to one of the very first lessons we all learned in school – “sharing is caring.” Having an Episcopal Day School as part of the mission and ministry of Christ the King can be complex, challenging work. But as I mentioned earlier, things that truly matter are rarely easy. And when I was in seminary, I wasn’t hoping to find a parish that would be an “easy” one to serve. I have always wanted to be a part of places and things that truly and deeply matter to a wide variety of people; ministries that impact a wide range of people. And that is why I feel so blessed to be a part of this incredible shared ministry of Christ the King Episcopal Church and the Tree House Episcopal Montessori School. Thanks be to God!