The Glue That Holds Us Together

By ANDREW KERNS

No matter where students come from or what their interests are, they are welcomed at St. Paul’s. The glue that holds the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) together is community. All are received and included throughout the campus. The biggest way at St. Paul’s to express togetherness is the long-standing tradition of going to Chapel four out of seven days a week.

Chapel is not your everyday Christian gathering. Here at St. Paul’s they receive anyone from Christians, to Buddhists, to atheists. Interns, students, and faculty don’t sit forward facing the altar or speaker, but towards the middle facing one other; there aren’t only just readings and hymns, but activities for students, interns, and faculty to express their personalities.

Katie Solter, ASP Chaplain, knew that after teaching English and History she wanted to do more for kids, “I felt called to help students wrestle their deeper questions and explore their spiritual lives.”

Solter felt that the group of kids was very diverse and that the traditions of student, intern, and faculty participation could continue. “Instead of having to go to dorms to ask for volunteers, most students came to me first. This is the most eager group I have seen in the three years I have been working at the chapel.” Mrs. Solter continued, “I like how people here at St. Paul’s are able to express themselves in diverse ways: singing a hymn, conducting a reading, or expressing their faith, spirituality.”

Tradition at the chapel is another major theme. “Faculty, students, interns, ASP Director Mr. Ricard, Mr. White, the organist, and others work together to make sure that the experience of the chapel is as enjoyable for students as it has been in the past,” says Solter. “This is about the community, not the leaders or speakers.”

Sam Perry, a resident of Ford, felt welcomed into chapel. “I like that we’re all here for the same reasons. I found that there was a strong feeling of unity, especially in the singing and seating arrangements.” Perry carried on, “My World Religions teacher asked for volunteers and I really wanted to participate and help make our service as interfaith as possible.”

Kolby Hume, one of the A.D.s, gave a Chapel talk on Monday, June 25. Hume said, “Chapel at St. Paul’s reflects coming together. Our community allows us to share with others and have time to reflect and sit in quiet.”

Hume was a student at ASP in 2004, an intern in 2008, and has been back ever since. Hume stated, “After not participating in Chapel for so many years I wanted to do so. I wanted kids to know that they weren’t alone in their sacrifices they made to come to ASP.” Hume continued, “Our Chapel represents the action of coming together as one. We all had to forgo our summers but can work together to learn and make ASP a great experience.”

No matter the troubles that are faced by students at ASP, the family connection made at Chapel will be there to help them get passed their hardships. Perry asserts, “We are all great friends here.” Friendships are the building block of ASP, where students know that they aren’t unaided in their life.