In the Aftermath of Parkland

Dear Friends,

Providence bestowed a gift in my inbox yesterday. It came in the form of the Monday reflection from Dan Heischman, the Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools. After grinding out a position paper that resembles a legal brief detailing the actions that we plan to take prior to and during the March 14 silent vigil, I was greeted by this arresting illumination. The reflection explores the Biblical virtue of “forbearance.” It is tonic for the times, exactly the prescription for us to embrace differences of opinion and respect for the dignity of all.

Dan refers to the seemingly intractable divisions in our nation and the value of Episcopal schools at this moment:

“For Episcopal schools, however, this is not merely a matter of face-offs. We have some deep spiritual and theological tools to help us deal with these divisions.

There is a biblical term that speaks to this very situation, the notion of forbearance. Antiquated as this term might sound, it has substantial relevance for our communities today.

St. Paul refers to it often in his letters to Christian communities (many of them experiencing deep division). He equates forbearance with forgiving, a generosity of spirit, a humbleness of mind (Col. 3:12-13). It is among the tangible fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is inherently moral in context, in that we demonstrate forbearance in our love toward neighbors and strangers.

At times, Paul admits, it can feel like longsuffering, something we must endure simply to get along. At no point does he identify it as a substitute for our convictions.

In Romans 2-4, Paul makes it clear that we do this because God does it with us. Withholding judgment on God’s people (even though we may daily merit such judgment!), God shows forbearance out of love for us. We, in turn, are called to display the same forbearance in our relationships with each other.

It is not a matter of ‘making nice,’ or even tolerating. It is doing what God mercifully does with us.

In disagreeable times such as these, forbearance to one another helps us realize there is something more at stake than our positions on issues: God’s enduring love.”

Christ Church Episcopal School cultivates “forbearance” in its students. Throughout the school, we hear one another out. We listen, question, defend, and rebut. CCES is a meeting place where the time-tested meets the experimental to produce a beautiful synthesis. It is an arena for opinion, a stage for performance, a symposium for dialogue. We promote civil and reasoned discourse, safety to voice one’s sentiments without reprisal or belittlement, and respect for the dignity of every person so that we can disagree without harshness or rancor. Our school is a crucible for understanding and unity of purpose. We are adept at being this mosaic of marketplaces under one roof, so to speak, because of our commitment to the moral and intellectual development of young people by loving and faithful mentors. Disagreement is the marrow of intellectual discipline, not a bane. Opposition of ideas enriches understanding. Dan cites the theologian David Ford, who “speaks about the distinctive value of schools as containers where we learn the wisdom of long term disagreement...[that builds] deeper mutual understanding.”

I believe that good can emerge from adversity and suffering. We are seeing hope played out nationally in the chorus of reasonable and gentle voices of students calling for safe schools. This flowering of idealism is a source of optimism about our future.

I have abiding faith in the power of our school to build a model community, where divergent points of view are respected and students are safe from abuse. Episcopal schools, in particular, rest on a foundation of inclusion and open discourse. Schools are the institution where society is restored and reshaped.

I believe in the power of our school to promote love, respect, and reason. I believe that CCES encourages all students to hear one another out and assess competing points of view without retribution or recrimination. I believe that our school encourages students to act as they believe and transform their principles into thoughtful action. CCES promotes conscientious behavior drawn from a respect for divergent points of view. School should be a safe and encouraging environment to promote positive change, resolve conflicts, and promote productive co-existence of opposing points of view.

On Wednesday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m., we will allow students to gather in a silent vigil for them only, monitored by administrators and teachers, in a designated place on campus. Those who choose to remain in class will be on equal footing, engaging in the business of becoming an educated person. If teachers want to moderate discussions at that time, they are free to do so with the understanding that teachers withhold their personal views (they received a framework in which to address political differences in a civil and balanced manner).

We choose to embrace the event as an expression of solidarity and sympathy for the grieving families. As a school, we do not impose a foreordained political stance on students. We prefer compassion over coercion. Our commitment as an independent school to respecting the dignity of each individual means all positions have a chance to be heard. There is no party line whereby those who adhere are applauded and those who question or contend are stigmatized.

The March 14th event and collateral conversations present an opportunity to leverage the strengths of CCES. The school provides safe places and humane mentors whereby young people can grow in knowledge, cultivate reasoning skills, refine ethical reflection, develop the tools of civil discourse, and engage in thoughtful action and advocacy.

The Reverend Dr. Harrison McLeod will present sermons at both US and MS chapels that day.

Please join us in embracing the opportunity to move forward and bring people together in our common interests. We love our children, respect our teachers, and support our school. Let’s opt for empathy, compassion, reason, and love.

With faith and hope,

Leonard Kupersmith
Headmaster