Turkey Trot and our Day School

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When I served at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Houston, I was introduced to the world of Episcopal Day Schools. There, I learned to lead chapel services for our Pre-K through 8th grade school. Students from that school went on to attend Episcopal High School, St. John the Divine, or one of our Houston public or  private schools. 

One feature of every Episcopal (and other parochial) school I know of is the school chapel. Either daily, or as at Trinity by the Sea, weekly services shape the life of the school. In these chapel services, the student body gathers for a time of prayer, scripture, song, and teaching. The service may varies according to the age of the students, but they all maintain an Episcopal structure, similar to our Daily Office of Morning prayer. 

At Trinity, after a hymn, there is a procession of the cross, candle, and flowers up to the altar. A student from three of our classrooms carry these symbolic items up to the altar, then we sing "This little light of mine." We see the light of God's presence upon the altar, then sing, acknowledging the light of God which shines through each of us! I hope that song settles into the hearts of our young students, and when life gets difficult and seems to demand they "hide their light under a bushel" their soul will respond, "No! I'm gonna let is shine!"

Our Day School Director, Nana Ward founded the school 27 years ago, and has led our school faithfully and diligently to grow it to what it is today. We serve the Port Aransas community as the only Day School available on our island for students in those pre-K years before they graduate to the "Big School" and join our outstanding public school. 

Our school is funded completely by tuition and donations. We receive no funds from our state nor from our Diocese. That's why the annual Turkey Trot and other fundraisers are so important to support this ministry to our community. So, thank you to all the sponsors who have once again stepped up to support this ministry, through the Turkey Trot; don't worry if you have not yet had a chance to do so there's still time. 

I'll be running in and donating to the Turkey Trot again this year.  It's one of the ways I can let my little light shine, and I hope you will be likewise inspired to shine your light, as a participant, volunteer, and/or sponsor so our students (and parents, business owners, workforce) can let their light shine in our blessed island community! 

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