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A Distinct Calling

A Distinct Calling

By Jackie Waters

Although Rev. Barbara Talcott majored in religion as an undergraduate at Princeton, it was not until years later—after international relief work in the Sudan with Save the Children, a MBA from Stanford, and 12 years in nonprofit healthcare management—that she felt a “distinct calling” to work with teenagers and teach ethics. With the support of her spouse Doug, the mother of three young sons quit her job and enrolled at Harvard Divinity School. 

After six years at St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., Barbara moved to St. Mark’s in 2009, and quickly fell in love with the community and Belmont Chapel. For 15 years, she served as the School’s chaplain in that sacred space she lovingly refers to as a “warm embrace”—a place where she has baptized and confirmed students and faculty children, married alumni, led funerals for former faculty members, guided VI Formers as they gave their talks, organized the annual service of Lessons and Carols, and offered food for thought during biweekly morning chapels.  

As a member of the senior administrative team, the student support team, and chair of the Religion Department, Barbara also advised students, taught two to three classes per semester, and served on the Interfaith Chapel Council. In the fall, she walked the sidelines of home football games, moving the chains. During the winter, she kept time for the basketball teams. Throughout the spring, she stood on a little island in the middle of Quinsigamond Lake, waving the flag for crew races. (And if a student was in need of pastoral support, she brought them along; a couple of hours on that island seemed to work wonders.) 

Throughout her tenure, Barbara traveled with the School to China, the Dominican Republic, Austria, Barbados, Ireland, and Scotland, as well as to Brantwood Camp in New Hampshire. She was even the original leader of the Global Citizenship Program. Her greatest joy at St. Mark’s, however, has been working with the students. 

“I love, love, love teaching,” says Barbara, whose St. Mark’s classes included Eastern Religious Thought; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and Advanced Religion: Modern Philosophy and the Challenges of Unbelief. 

According to colleague Rev. Katie Solter, "The key to Barbara’s teaching comes from her faith and unwavering belief in the potential of every student. She is tough and uncompromising in her expectations, but she is always kind, disarming her students with the warmth of her belly laugh."

That big laugh has become well known to St. Markers over the years. In fact, the avid supporter of the arts is famous for frequently guffawing during performances in the Black Box Theater and showing students where the laugh lines are. “I never missed a play,” shares the proud mother of St. Mark’s graduate and actor Miles Bouchard ’15. 

Of her time at the School, Barbara says, “I’ve been so blessed.” In her eyes, the St. Mark’s community is a special place. “It’s really genuine, humble, warm, and inclusive. [The teachers] really like teenagers, and the students don’t tolerate meanness. I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with.” Her fondness for colleagues in the Religion and Music Departments with whom she’s collaborated—including Jim Lamacchia, Tom Berryman, Stephen Hebert, James Wallace, David Fontes, and Katie Solter—is sincere and palpable. “They are the real deal in terms of their faith,” shares Barbara, with deep respect. “They represent it authentically to the community.” 

In addition to her colleagues, Barbara also enjoyed a strong partnership with Head of School John Warren ’74 throughout her time at the School. “The chaplaincy at St. Mark's would not be half what it is today without his support and faithful participation,” she acknowledges. “He has been such a fantastic partner in my ministry.” 

The admiration is mutual, as John shares: “Barbara has done so much over her 15 years at St. Mark’s to ensure that our School’s Episcopal identity provides a reference point for every major institutional decision, and to ensure that the Episcopal principles she articulated early in her tenure are lived out day-to-day in everything that takes place on the campus. Barbara has also made her Judaism, Christianity, and Islam course and Advanced Religion course highly engaging and memorable. Her skilled, sensitive pastoral care has made a profound difference at moments of need to countless adults and students, a group that includes me.” 

It was no accident that Barbara chose the same year to retire alongside John and Laura Warren, with whom she developed a close friendship. In fact, after Barbara and Laura taught their final classes at St. Mark’s, the pair walked arm and arm down the packed hallways of the Main Building, as students, faculty, and staff clapped, high-fived, and cheered them on. 
 
“Barbara is the best school chaplain I have ever worked with,” Laura says. “She is also an excellent religion teacher! What makes Barbara so good is hard to quantify; she just gets kids and meets them where they are. I think that the number of students who are confirmed or baptized every year is a testament to how well she connects with students and how well she connects students to their own spirituality. ” 

Among the many highlights of her time at St. Mark’s, Barbara recalls Lessons and Carols at Trinity Church as the most memorable. She also takes great pride in creating the St. Mark’s School Chapel Prayers and Readings for the School’s 150th anniversary, a gift she gives to each VI Former at Prize Day. When Barbara graduated from the School alongside the VI Formers this year, the moment was bittersweet. 

“I love watching students grow; I’ll miss that,” she admits.

As for what’s on the horizon, “I’ve never been a fan of plans,” Barbara says. “I am going to let the Holy Spirit tell me what comes next.”