A Chapel of Gratitude

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Chatham Hall community gathered in St. Mary’s Chapel for our monthly themed chapel service honoring gratitude. This year, students and faculty used a practice from the Quaker tradition to create a sacred space centered on stillness, reflection, and communal sharing. As the community entered the chapel, the seats were slightly slanted toward the center, drawing focus to a tender place set aside for people to speak — not from the pulpit or chancel, but from the floor, among their peers.

“Every day is a god, each day is a god, and holiness holds forth in time.”

These words from Annie Dillard’s Holy the Firm—a lyrical story unfolding over three days—invited everyone to see the sacredness of life as a spiritual practice of gratitude. Filtering the world through this lens reminds us that, despite hardship, the world is good. Our Chaplain, Beth Barksdale, said, “In fragile moments, it attunes us to see love, kindness, grace, and generosity woven into the everyday. In days held fast by distant memories or future ambitions, it propels us to witness wonder everywhere.”

As we gathered, everyone was given a handcrafted quote, beautifully created by Mrs. Elsabé Dixon, Fine Arts Department Chair, to inspire personal reflection. The service featured readings from three interfaith traditions, each offering a unique perspective on gratitude. After each reading, the community held a quiet moment for inward listening. Following these readings, Allie M. ’27, Ana G.C. ’26, and Ms. Odette Kulger, French Teacher and Dorm Advisor, spoke from the floor, inviting all to deepen their understanding through silence and sharing.

Jane W. ’26 opened the service with the traditional handbell, followed by a welcome from Chaplain Barksdale. Sophia S. ’27 offered the Gathering Words:
In gratitude we come, proclaiming our thanksgiving, seeking to live out our love. My spirit to rejoice, my soul to proclaim!

Mr. John Scott, Director of St. Mary’s Choir, then led the community in singing I Sing the Almighty, our processional hymn. Rachel T. ’27 followed with the Opening Prayer, lifting words of thanks for family, friends, identity, community, and the presence of the divine among us.

Indigenous Religions (A Mohawk Prayer) – Mr. John Kingery and Ms. Mara Jarrett
A prayer of gratitude from the Kanien'kehà:ka (Mohawk Nation) honoring Mother Earth, plants, air, wild beings, water, the sun, and the great sky — each line echoing, “in our minds so be it.”

Sikhism (Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, Ang 12) – Marie W. ’28
“Your gifts cannot be appraised; how can anyone compare to the Giver? Waheguru Tera Shukar Hai — Praise be to God for your blessings.”

Christianity (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18) – Yvelisse C. ’28
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you.”

Listening Inwardly
For the lesson on the scripture passage, Chaplain Barksdale guided the community into a time of quiet reflection, drawing from the Quaker practice of contemplative listening.

“Quaker silence is a listening silence — one that expects to hear something love might require of us. In that stillness, we honor the rare gift of quiet and open ourselves to what may move us to speak.”

From this silence, Allie M. ’27 shared Joy Harjo’s poem Remember, honoring the interconnectedness of all creation and ending with the simple yet powerful call: “Remember. And Rejoice Always.”

Ana G.C. ’26 followed with Pray Without Ceasing, a reflection from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel on the humility and wonder of prayer as gratitude in motion:
“It is gratefulness which makes our small souls great.”

Finally, Ms. Odette Kulger offered a personal reflection on Giving Thanks, reminding the community that awareness and thankfulness can transform the way we see and move through the world.

Maddie W. ’26 led the community in closing prayer, drawn from Ignatian spirituality, asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts, minds, and souls to gratitude, generosity, and grace.

The service concluded with a Chatham Hall favorite, Lift High the Cross, and a blessing and dismissal from Chaplain Barksdale. The handcrafted quotes were hung in the Narthex as the community exited St. Mary’s creating a beautiful and artistic display of gratitude. 

May a sense of gratitude fill our chapel today—and may you feel renewed and refreshed by life’s blessings.