Living the Message of Faith, Hope and Charity

When you approach Wooster School in Danbury Ct, the majestic allure of the James Marshall Chapel beckons you. It stands tall and proud atop a hill in the center of the 100 acre campus. The splendor of the Chapel's tall steeple and stone foundation compliments the picturesque landscape upon which it was built. Erected in 1930, the Chapel is named after James Marshall, a Massachusetts hat manufacturer, whose wife had a fond affection for Wooster School and yearned for a chapel to be built in her husband's name.

Perhaps the real beauty of this radiant Chapel is what happens within it. Reverend Robert Ross, known to his students as "Rev Ross or The Rev" is Wooster School Chaplain. One time, a high paid corporate executive, Ross left his job to become ordained as an Episcopal priest, an occupation he calls "the greatest job in the world". "I can't imagine doing anything else," says Ross. And he means it. Ross plans 160 original Chapel services each year for Wooster students. Ross puts his heart and soul into helping each child find their own spirit and expression of faith. "Each child is a theologian and it's up to us to find out the theological language they are speaking," says Ross.

Making Chapel services even more meaningful is the fact that Ross knows each child who attends Chapel extremely well. He sits with his students at lunch, is teacher of Religion and Public Policy, student adviser, basketball coach, school counselor and Wooster's director of community service. "It's a shower of riches as far as I'm concerned- a classic example that you get so much more than you give," Ross humbly says. Although Wooster School is rooted in traditions of the Episcopal religion, they welcome and enroll about 350 pre-K through grade 12 students of all faith backgrounds. "We celebrate and raise up all of the different expressions of faith," explains Ross. "We're not here to make converts, but to celebrate God," he adds.

According to Ross, Wooster is comprised of approximately 60% Christian, 30% Jewish and 10% other denominations. The Wooster School prayer, an inspiring devotion to God: "Make us gentle, generous, truthful, kind and brave," is part of every Chapel service as is something Ross calls "Holy Writ".  "In Holy Writ I try to include all of the faiths of the world: Islamic prayers, Hindu prayers, Christian bible citations and psalms," says Ross. Resonating out of Chapel, it is not uncommon to hear songs by the Beatles or even U2. Contemporary Chapel times where, says Ross, "we bring out the electric guitars" is a popular form of worship for many of the teenage students. It is not only through song, but more traditional Chapel services that include the recitation of Bible hymns and psalms followed by a meaningful sermon, that appeal to other students. And, what is "very powerful" says Ross is the student led Chapel service which occurs once per month.  "I give them only one constraint, do not disparage other faiths, tell us why you love your form of worship," explains Ross.

While Ross plants the seeds of faith, hope and charity in weekly Chapel, it is what happens when the children walk out the doors at the end of the service that matters most. Woven deep in the traditions of Wooster School is community service. Through the work and teaching of Ross, the Wooster School motto of: "Drawing from each according to ability and giving to each according to need" comes alive. Whether it be aiding The Daily Bread in Danbury, partaking in The Midnight Run, or visiting the inner city of Philadelphia, Wooster kids walk the talk of Chapel. "It's about paying it forward, that's why we're here," proclaims Ross.

* photo credit: Exterior of Wooster School Chapel: Chip Riegel

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Submitted by Westport, CT

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