Chapel at Pilgrim School incorporates the Congregational tradition, which encourages unity as it grows from diversity and invites a spirit of reverence, both in chapel and around the campus. Congregationalists are the spiritual heirs of the Pilgrims who came to this country seeking religious freedom. In chapel services at Pilgrim we seek to offer students the freedom to develop spiritual wisdom and moral grounding that will serve them the rest of their lives. While most of our readings will be from the Bible, we will also read from other great books of faith, including the Koran, Upanishads, and the Tipitaka of Buddha. We will hear from religious leaders in the community who will speak with us about their faith and also lift up role models, past and present, whose faith has led them to do great things for humanity. Students and faculty are encouraged to share their gifts, as liturgists, musicians, artists, and speakers.
The theme for this year’s chapel program is: “Respect God, Respect your Neighbor, Respect Yourself.” It was developed from the commandments in the Torah to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself, as well as from the overarching Pilgrim School theme for the year.
We gather once a month, on Wednesday mornings, for an all-school chapel service, which is held in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. Typically, one of Ms. Shirai’s choirs will provide music for those services. On other Wednesdays, we gather in Shatto Chapel, with age appropriate services for smaller segments of our Pilgrim School family. All members of our extended Pilgrim family are invited to join us at any time during the year.
Feel free, also, to contact me at any time to talk about the chapel program, or anything else on your mind or your heart. I may be reached at extension 248, and an emergency number is given if the answer machine responds.
Faithfully,
Dr. Giovan Venable King
Chaplain, Pilgrim School