Leadership

Students are encouraged to help lead and administer the chapel program in different ways and play an important role in developing chapel themes, participating in various programs, and sitting in community with appropriate reverence and respect.

The School Choir

Under the direction of the Music Department, the School Choir sits together and regularly leads chapel services through hymn singing and responsive reading. The entire choir or groups within it offer occasional anthems and other music pieces. Often, the choir is accompanied by other student and faculty musicians. The choir dresses in more formal liturgical vestment several times during the year for Founder’s Day, Lessons and Carols, St. Mark’s Day, Baccalaureate, and other services of Evensong.

Wardens

These students help the school assemble at every chapel and work to greet guests and maintain proper decorum during chapel programs. Two members of fourth through sixth forms and two officers compose the group.

Acolytes

Students are encouraged to serve as crucifers and torchbearers, and to assist in other ways at the altar for several school services during the year and, on a more regular basis, at the weekly services of the Eucharist and Compline.

Readers

Students are regularly involved in all chapel services, as leaders of the reading from sacred text and occasionally in leading the prayers.

Chapel Council

The Chapel Council is composed of officers from each of the groups listed above, including a representative from the School Monitors. This group meets with the chaplains and other faculty officers of the chapel to discuss chapel programming and other attending issues several times each year.

Jew Crew and God Squad

These two student groups convene at various times and places for spiritual support and nurture. The Jew Crew is supported by an adjunct member of faculty, Rabbi Splansky, and through an affiliation with the Curriculum Initiative, an organization supporting and promoting Jewish life on school campuses. Students organize and lead weekly Shabbat services each Friday evening and help conduct chapel services at various times of the year around important holy days in the Jewish year. God Squad is student-organized and led, meeting weekly in a faculty home for spiritual sharing in prayer and bible study.

Multi-Faith Expression

The Chaplain’s Office seeks to support all faith traditions held by students and help foster their personal spiritual development. Students wishing to observe or mark particular days of religious significance and possibly form additional meetings to share in a particular faith are encouraged to help establish such a program.