Hard Work but the RIGHT Work

For the 2018-19 academic year, Episcopal Day School has decided to align its annual theme with that of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, and therefore other schools in the nation. Our chapel lectionary, classroom visits by the chaplain, service learning reflections, and other opportunities and occasions will be based on the theme: “Learn to do what is right; seek justice, defend the oppressed.” (Isaiah 1:17)

At first glance, this is a very difficult theme for a 3s-8th grade school to wrap its head around! How would you explain justice to a 4-year-old or dismantle oppression with a 12-year-old? Well, high school credits in Algebra and Spanish aren’t easy either, and our students achieve these! Tying one’s shoe seems a daunting challenge before a loving teacher helps make it happen! And, just as Math, Spanish, and shoelaces are WORTH working for, so too are justice, care for the oppressed, and (always!) what is right. It’s hard work, but I believe it is the right work, and I look forward to the ways God will stretch us all in working with this theme this year.

We will begin with basic (but challenging) teachings like: “Each person is uniquely created in the image of God, and we are called to recognize, respect, and honor the freedom and dignity of every person.” (From our Mission Statement of Beliefs) At this moment, in the first month of the school year, I feel called to work towards an understanding of (and thereby appreciation for) the concept of dignity … and it seems that if a few hundred young people are committed to that, then we will have done good work!

We will also use our imaginations alongside our studies, to understand and to dream about the way our God looks at humankind - with such love, and hope, and promise - and then to fine-tune our own perspectives to look at others (ALL others) with a similar vision. This will be a stretch for most of us at times, and it will come more easily to some at other times, but I believe we can all make strides. I also anticipate that, as I continue to experience in life and ministry, “a little child will lead us!”

Finally, we will consider what these big bible concepts look like in our day to day lives. For example, what does the bystander in a bullying situation do if they are working to defend the oppressed? Or what graces and opportunities can those of us who live with such privilege extend to our friends and neighbors who struggle? Or how can we heal what’s broken in us and in our small circles to restore right relationships with one another and therefore with God? It’s HARD work … but it’s the RIGHT work!

Pastor Lisa +