Episcopal Identity at WES | Christian School in Bethesda MD

As an Episcopal school, WES’s identity is grounded in the Episcopal expression of Christianity. Knowing that the role of a church is distinct from that of a school, we celebrate the religious diversity of our school community, in line with the Episcopal Church’s inclusive perspective. Many faith traditions are represented within WES, and we embrace opportunities for all in our community to share the wisdom and practices of their own religions. Our goal in religious instruction is to inform and explore, rather than to teach the beliefs of any particular tradition as truth, and our desire is to support each child’s spiritual development in ways that enrich their experience of their family’s own spiritual practice.

Episcopal and Anglican Communion churches around the world refer to the Five Marks of Mission to guide their ministries. The Five Marks summarize the mission of the Church and are based on the mission and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. As a school, the ways that we live out these Five Marks differs from those of churches, but these tenets serve as an important guide for our vision and our work together, as described below.

To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
In the Kingdom of God, all people know themselves embraced by the life-giving love of God and share that love with others, as Jesus taught his followers. This kind of love transforms the world, bringing justice and peace, and invites every being to live in joyful harmony with God. At WES, we proclaim this Good News “by word and example,” as Episcopalians vow to do, both teaching and showing our children that we can experience God’s love for us and share that love with those around us.
To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
At WES, through our Chapel and Religion programs we teach our children to pay attention to how God is working in their lives, with an emphasis on both knowing and showing God’s love. We encourage students to do this within their own family’s faith practices and to engage in our community life from the perspective of their own faith tradition. Our Chaplain is also available to discuss children’s spiritual needs with all families and will consult with families about Christian baptism or confirmation preparation upon request. However, rituals like baptism and confirmation are most appropriately celebrated in a local church community, and WES does not conduct such rituals.
To respond to human need by loving service
At WES we serve others in many ways, both within our school and in our local community, and even around the world. We understand that to live out our school’s motto, “Be Kind,” we must give of ourselves to help others. We encourage our community members to practice loving service both together through our school programs and on their own or with their families and other organizations. In this way, our community lives out the Episcopal commitment to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.”
To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
Even though we proclaim and earnestly seek to practice God’s great love for all, we know that injustice in society often gets in the way of people experiencing the fullness of that love. At WES we endeavor to name and challenge these injustices in our society, in our community, and in ourselves, recognizing that reconciliation requires that we work to create true equity for all people. We do this in the joyful hope that one day we will fully live into the Episcopal mission to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth
Recognizing that our choices impact others beyond what we can know, we choose to practice care for the earth and all that is in it. At WES we teach children to do their part to care for God’s creation, including the earth, animals, and other people.

Episcopal Identity

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