In anticipation of next week's Holy Week observances around our campus, I thought I would share a few thoughts with you regarding the Episcopal identity of St. Christopher's School.

 

First, as context, St. Christopher's was founded in 1911 by Dr. Churchill Gibson Chamberlayne, an Episcopal priest and respected educator. A former chaplain at the University of Virginia and at the Gilman School in Baltimore, Dr. Chamberlayne was a pious man and an academic theologian. His faith was central to his identity, and that identity was central to the formation and early years of St. Christopher's School. 

 

Known as the Chamberlayne School from its founding in 1911 until its sale to the Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia in 1920, St. Christopher's has always held fast to its core identity as a Church school--a Christian school, yes, but a school unabashedly committed to the Episcopalian ethos of inclusivity and radical hospitality. As I like to tell prospective employees and families when I speak about St. Christopher's and the two other Episcopal schools in which I have been fortunate to teach, one need not be an Episcopalian (or a Christian) to teach or to learn here, but we do expect faculty and students to respect our Episcopal faith identity and to participate, to the extent that they feel comfortable, in our Episcopal practices. 

 

We have a wonderful opportunity in the week ahead to join with thousands of Episcopal schools and churches across the world in celebration of Holy Week, a time in which the period of Lent draws to a close and we focus on the human truths of pain, doubt, and even betrayal, all of which are, in the end, supplanted by the greatest of all human truths, love. 

 

As an Episcopal school, St. Christopher's has a long history of offering communion (Eucharist) to students, faculty and staff, and even parents. We have found evidence of this practice throughout much of the 20th Century at St. Christopher's, though it faded from common practice in the last several decades. The offering of communion--which, in the Christian faith, is a manifestation of the unending love and sacrifice of Christ--is a common practice among hundreds of Episcopal schools around the world. In my experience at prior Episcopal schools, it can serve as a beautiful and unifying moment of togetherness in a school community. Importantly, the sacrament of communion is open to all--whatever one's faith tradition. 

 

As part of our commemoration of Holy Week next week, we will be offering communion as an option for our boys (in Grades 3-12) and our faculty and staff. I want to emphasize that this offering is just that, an offering, an invitation. No one will be required to participate in any way that is uncomfortable for them or their faith. During communion, boys and adults are welcome to remain in their seats for reflection or to come forward to receive either a blessing or communion itself. At the bottom of this message you will find specific information about various Holy Week offerings in all three divisions; parents are welcome to join us for any or all services! 

 

In sharing this information with our faculty recently, several have asked if the offering of communion will become a new tradition at St. Christopher's. The honest answer is that I do not know. I would like for the offering of communion to become a regular part of our practice of celebrating Holy Week at St. Christopher's. We may slowly offer communion at additional moments throughout the school year. I am excited to partner with you, our chaplains, our boys, and our faculty on this exploration of the faith identity and expression of St. Christopher's, as a continuation of Dr. Chamberlayne's legacy now spanning over a century of influence. 

 

Should you have any questions about Holy Week at St. Christopher's, do not hesitate to contact me or one of our chaplains. 

 

With best wishes for this season,

 

Mason Lecky

Head of School