Chapel

Each day all of our students attend a Chapel service.

Chapel is a lesson, very similar to a classroom lesson. Based on ancient monastic offices, it is a teaching service that centers on the singing of psalms and on the reading of Lessons from the Old and New Testaments, connected by the singing of great canticles from Scripture.

After hearing the lessons and singing God’s praise, we define the basic tenets of our faith in the Apostles’ Creed, and then move on to prayer and two hymns.

In giving attention to this material, students learn what the Bible says. Young or old, Christian or not, no one can say that he knows too much about this most influential book; too many people claim they believe it—but have read very little of it. We want our students to know what the Bible says; Chapel is our daily instruction in this lesson.

Chapel is a sign of who we are and to whom we ascribe the greatest power. St. Thomas’ is a Christian school. Any excellence which we may achieve we ascribe to the power and grace of God. He is first in our minds and hearts and souls. We gather as a unit of students, teachers, and staff to signal the primacy of God in our school.

Chapel also gives an opportunity for diversity. Not all of our students are Christian. However, all of them attend Chapel. The students of other religions listen respectfully and participate in singing. They are able both to gain a deeper understanding of Christian thinking and to give others an object lesson in courtesy and respect for diversity.

Finally, our curriculum and our teachers regularly model a Christian world-view—while not ignoring the challenges and arguments of today’s popular culture.