Many Fish, One School — A Lower School Reflection

Below is the weekly chaplain's newsletter called 'Table Talk' that I write for the Holy Innocents' Lower School.

Dear Golden Bears and Parents,

Like Episcopal schools across the country, Holy Innocents’ is characterized by the unity of its diverse student population. 'Diversity in Unity' was the theme of this past week’s chapel service entitled Many Fish, One School.

Keeping in mind that the new course I’m teaching is called F.I.S.H (short for Faith In Service & Humanity), I’ve been asking all of the students to consider what makes each of them unique. During class, I had each 1^st and 2^nd grader color in a fish so that it represented something special about him or herself. Similarly, each of the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th graders drew self-portraits and answered a worksheet with the following questions.

1. What do you like most about yourself?

2. What do you like most about other people?

3. What are your greatest gifts and talents?

4. What are your favorite things to do? 

5. If you could have one super-power what would it be?

6. If you could have God answer two questions what you ask?

I attempted this practice myself and realized that the overarching purpose of these exercises was not only to deepen one's self-understanding but also to help the students discover that, no matter how big the school is, each student—like each fish—is beautifully and wonderfully unique.

As St. Paul reminded us in this week’s reading from scripture, “Though we are many, we are one body,” and each member of the body plays a different but equally important role in sharing God’s love. The principle of diversity in unity applies to the Lower School as well. Like the many fish that make up our one school, our differences elevate and enhance one another.

Throughout the school year, I’ll be having a ‘Chapel Challenge’ each Thursday. The Chapel Challenge this past week was as follows:

Because God loves when we bring our differences together, share with a friend, teacher, or family member one thing you’re proud of that makes you special and different from others.

I’ve found that it’s best not to ask others questions if you’ve not already answered them yourself, so I encourage you to answer the 6 questions above, share your responses with your family, and discover what makes both you and your children special and unique.

One way to celebrate God's glory is by celebrating how God made each of us gloriously different; and our school’s ability to share God’s love depends on our willingness to claim what each of our different gifts are. 

Though we are many fish, we are one school.

With Love and Prayers,

Chaplain Timothy

P.S.

I encourage all students, parents, and staff to either stop by my office or email me to share what their gifts may be and discuss how these can be used to share God’s love with others.

For regular updates, photos, prayers, and glimpses of what's going on in the spiritual life of the HIES Lower School, you’re welcome check out the following:

Facebook: facebook.com/episcopalschoolchaplain                        

Instagram: http://instagram.com/episcopalschoolchaplain

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpiscopalChap