Chapel
Worship lies at the heart of St. George's Episcopal School. It forms the center of our spiritual and religious growth and it provides the community with biblical and liturgical stories and actions which shape its very identity, mission, and ministry. All students, faculty, staff, and administration are required to participate.
While the Episcopal Church's central act of worship is the Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion, St. George's School, with its ecumenical congregation, celebrates this sacrament only on special occasions and only for students in grades three through eight. Most chapel services consist of hymns or songs, a biblical reading, prayers, and a homily or chapel talk. Every effort is made to create chapel services which are grade level and developmentally appropriate for the students. Students also may take leadership roles by serving as readers, leaders of prayer, or acolytes.
Each school day begins with the entire school coming together to worship in chapel. Mondays are music days where the worship consists chiefly of songs of praise, worship and thanksgiving. Tuesdays are set aside for a teacher or staff person to offer a personal experience about his/her faith. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, our chaplain, Diana Pearson, will offer the homily. On Fridays, we conclude the school week together by sharing in our special "Celebration Chapel," where a variety of student accomplishment is recognized, where birthdays are celebrated, and where our mission and ministry as an Episcopal school is joyously expressed. Parents are invited to attend any chapel services with their children, although participation in the Friday chapels is especially appropriate. Although the Book of Common Prayer is not used at each service, services ascribe to this traditional worship form and often use prayers from this historic worship book of the Episcopal Church. All celebrations of the Holy Eucharist use the Book of Common Prayer rites.
In so many significant ways there is nothing more important in the life of St. George's Episcopal School than its worship. Chapel should not be seen as just another extra-curricular activity, but as the most important event in the daily life of the school.
SGES School Hymn
Father, we do all adore thee,
Worship, praise and seek thy will.
Father, lead us ever only
To that place we cherish still.
Evermore to praise Thy Name
And evermore to love Thy will.
Refrain:
To learn, to serve, to live for Thee only,
Thy precious Name our light, our life.
Our youth is ere before Thee, Father,
Our minds are fresh, our spirits bright.
Our hearts are bound to serve Thee only,
Our work in Thee more joy than strife.
Father, keep us holy in Thee.
Father, guide us in our lives.
Words by Susan Bartholomew
