In grades 1-2 students are introduced to the Biblical story. The Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Bible are taught to students through storytelling. This provides a foundation of Biblical Literacy for students so that as they move into the older grades they are equipped to explore more complex spiritual, social, and moral issues.
In grades 3-6 students are hear lessons from Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospels, and the Epistles, following the Revised Common Lectionary. From these readings, students explore a range spiritual and moral themes such as community, friendship, forgiveness, compassion, honesty, and service to others, just to name a few.
In addition to lessons from the Bible, students learn about Christian holidays, and the lives of the saints. Special chapel services are held on St. Andrew's Day, Lessons and Carols, All Saints' Day, Ash Wednesday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veteran's Day, and St. Francis Day. Students also get the opportunity to learn about other religious traditions, and regularly hear from guest speakers about a variety of relevant topics.
Prayer
Each day in chapel personal and community prayers are raised up during chapel time. As a result of this daily practice, students learn about the importance of prayer in response to the concerns and celebrations of life. Students may tell Ms. Brandon or their teachers if they have prayer requests, or they may fill out a prayer request card and place it in the box in front of the chapel entrance.
Music
As an offering of praise to God, students learn age-appropriate liturgical music using the Hymnal 1982 and other supplementary resources. Chapel music is accompanied by piano on most days and guitar on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays students have "Hymn Practice" with their music teachers, where they learn new songs and practice old ones. Students also get the opportunity throughout the year to hear chapel concerts from their peers and from guest performers.
Liturgy.
The daily chapel service follows the Morning Prayer Rite 2 service from the Book of Common Prayer. In grades one and two the service is memorized, and in the third grade students begin to read along. In the third grade, students are presented with their own copy of the Book of Common Prayer as they begin to learn the tradition of prayer and worship in the Episcopal Church.
Student Participation
Student participation is an important part of chapel life. All students are expected to participate in chapel, though students of other faith backgrounds may choose to participate by sitting quietly during the service. For more information about chapel and religious diversity, please contact our chaplain, Ashley Brandon or our Director of Diversity, Philippa Strelitz.
Beginning in the first grade, students serve as acolytes who are responsible for extinguishing the candles at the end of the service. In the third grade students also have the opportunity to read the Psalm appointed for the day. Students are also encouraged to offer their talents and gifts in chapel, such as reading a favorite book, telling about an important tradition or object, singing a song, etc.
Students, parents, and faculty are supported in their spiritual and pastoral needs by Ashley Brandon, LS/MS Chaplain; the Rev. Seth Deleery, assisting clergy; and Lucy Nazro, Head of School.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend daily worship:
8:05 First and Second Grade Chapel
9:00 Third and Fourth Grade Chapel
9:40 Fifth and Sixth Grade Chapel
Prayer Requests
Please submit prayer requests to Ashley Brandon, Lower School Chaplain.
Community Service
Community Service at St. Andrew’s is seen as a natural extension of the chapel program. As students hear the spiritual messages of compassion, service, and love, they are compelled to put these lessons into action through working to improve the world around them. Throughout the year students in grades 1-12 participate in a variety of in-school projects that are accompanied by intentional service learning and education about the social justice issues addressed. Starting in the fifth grade, students are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored, after school community service as an outward sign of their commitment to serve those less fortunate.