Welcome from Rev. John Riggin, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Seek first the kingdom of God. and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
We welcome the privilege of teaching children about God’s love. From the Christian perspective, the purpose of education is much broader than individual success, but really centers upon helping people find joy in their work and their talents, and in helping form students who actually make a better world. There’s an old Greek proverb, “Happiness is where the best of our talents meet the world’s deepest needs.”
Jesus once tells a story about talents. He gives an example of a man whose talents are being inhibited by fear and human limits, and then Jesus compares that to a man whose talents are set free by love and trust and empowerment in God. The point is: the real release of our talents is connected to our relationship with God and the power His Spirit brings into our lives. So good education becomes a dynamic synergy of body, mind, and spirit. Jesus really teaches that too. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind,” images of body, mind, and spirit.
We pray that the way we teach, the way we relate to each other as faculty to student, student to student, faculty to faculty, and school to families will be rooted in something much deeper that our human limits. Through chapel services, Bible studies, the Fellowship of Christian athletes, outreach projects and other such offerings, we invite students, teachers, administrators, and families into a relationship that is grounded in a deeper way. We always hope to do this realizing each person must make his or her choice freely. Jesus’ love is always invitational.
It’s one of the greatest privileges in the world to serve God’s children. I encourage you and your student to embrace one of these wonderful opportunities to grow in Spirit. If I may be of any help to you, please never hesitate to call me.
Christ’s blessings,
The Rev. John Riggin