Still Christmas

... And we sang all the Christmas hymns this morning! Thanks to the talented Mr. Palmer for playing our all-request-hymn-sing.

All Saints Eucharist

The Rev. Mark Rutenbar preached at our second school Eucharist celebrating the feast of All Saints. He asked on the morning after Halloween to consider "life without masks," and particularly to reflect upon who in each of our lives shows us how to live in God's love. Students in every grade then "decorated" the chapel walls with multi-colored post-it notes bearing the names of our saints: past and present. Amid the fluttering colors and these special remembrances, we shared Holy Communion together.

This enriching worship service was made even more beautiful by the offering of music from our Chamber Ensemble - what glorious sounds!

Musical Chapel

We were treated to four gifted performances today in chapel. Three of the pieces were played by pairs of sisters no less! The St. Mary's community is blessed to overflowing with talent in all fields. What a treasure to share these talents with our school community.

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Today I shared the wisdom learned from a woman who flies planes for FedEx, the world is always spinning. The application of this truth, in my life, has been the understanding that I'm never really "stuck." Often feeling stuck with a relationship problem or a new skill that seems beyond me, I can wake up in the night struggling with these issues. Remembering the pilot's words, I know that when I wake in the morning, I am actually "in a new place," no longer wherever I was when I went to bed simply because of the earth's rotation. From a new vantage point, solutions and movement forward seem possible.

As a special gift, and dedicated to the seniors, one of our Middle School girls sang "On My Own," as a solo from Les Miserables. What talent!!

Not Your Typical Alum Chapel

Morgan Beckford '06 might have brought the walls down with her amazing voice today in chapel.  She sang three songs, delighting everyone and demonstrating her extraordinary talent.  Significantly though, she began by sharing her evolving story from dreaming of stardom to coming to appreciate that she had a passion for "educational outreach."  Morgan's purpose now seems to be to infect everyone she meets with love for song, and particularly operatic song.
If today is any indication, she's quite contagious.  Look out world!