Chapel Theme for the 2026-27 School Year Announced

After discussions and deliberations with the 5th grade and Middle School Chapel Councils and the Upper School Vestry, the Chapel Theme for the next school year has been selected.

"The group considered 50 very thoughtful suggestions," shared Head Chaplain Tim Gavin, Hon.

The passage rooted in Luke 12:48, "To whom much is given, much is expected," will serve as the theme and guidance for the EA community during the 2026-27 school year.

"The students were very enthusiastic about this theme. It offers a meaningful framework for reflecting on what is asked of us as a community, as we seek to develop the mind, body, and spirit," said Father Tim.

"It's a group of us coming together to really think about something that is going to matter for the school," said Lucia Forte '26, outgoing Vestry Accounting Warden. 

Teachers, students, and alumni offered suggestions. "We discussed each one and narrowed it down to two," explained incoming Vestry Warden Ryan Harrar '27. "The Lower School was very passionate. People do get very excited about what they think is the best."

"We [Vestry, 5th Grade, Middle School Chapel Councils] came to a consensus and met all together in the final stage of the vote," said Michael Venneri '27, next year's Accounting Warden. "This is one that has shown up on the list over the last couple of years."

"How can this be applied to the PreK but also the 12th grade, all these things you have to consider for a Chapel Theme for such a large community," said this year's Vestry Warden, Brandon Bin '26. "It has to be a good message that can carry on the rest of their life."

"I think the theme invites each of us to reflect upon the unique gifts we have been given and how we can use them in service of the common good," reflected Middle School Chaplain Michael Palmisano. "I'm reminded of Catholic Social Teaching around the idea of subsidiarity. A friend once shared with me this idea in explaining subsidiarity: 'No one is so poor that they have nothing to offer. No one is so rich that they cannot be enriched further by others.' No matter who we are, there is something we are able to give." 

"What we want to tell the Lower, Middle, Upper School, the teachers, what sort of messages we want to send and be thinking about as we head into the next year, feels really, really important," said Lucia.