CHAPEL AT ST. THOMAS:

Family, neighbors and friends are invited to share Chapel with our students each Thursday morning. First through fifth grade attend from 8:20am until approximately 9am, and Pre-Kindergarten, Voyager and Kindergarten Chapel begins immediately following Upper School Chapel. Our Associate Rector, Rev. Melody Shobe, celebrates Upper School Chapel, while our Chaplain, Meg Matheny, leads our younger students in praise and worship.

WHAT WE DO:

Our children’s Chapel is a liturgical service. In both Chapels, we sing a hymn when the cross and Celebrant enter and recess. First graders distribute Chapel folders to our guests, while second graders collect student prayers and offer them at the altar. Third, fourth and fifth graders serve as acolytes and readers, with a third grader acting as crucifer, a fourth grader lighting candles, and two fifth graders reading the Lesson and Psalm. In Lower School Chapel, Pre-Kindergarten and Voyager students act as crucifers, and Kindergarteners extinguish the altar candles. Both services include a homily and birthday blessings, and can include anthems offered by a particular class. Both services also include an opportunity for students to offer up their prayers for themselves and others, and our children always eagerly participate in this part of the liturgy. Twice each year our entire school family gathers as one: to celebrate Lessons and Carols on the last day of the winter term, and to participate in Ash Wednesday services during the spring term.

HOW WE PRAY:

Our international student body represents faiths from around the world. Many find themselves very comfortable with the Episcopal liturgy, and we encourage full participation from each of our students. While we are aware that some of our faith practices (such as the imposition of ashes during the Ash Wednesday service) are not part of each student’s home faith, we view the St. Thomas School worship experiences as opportunities for each student to become even more fully engaged in their own faith walk, be it Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism . . . or Christianity!

WHAT WE WEAR:

Children are required to wear their dress uniforms to Chapel.

We invite you to join us in either (or both!) of these dynamic worship services. Our Chaplain has prepared folders for our visitors to help you feel at home during Chapel. We hope to see you soon!