Knightly News

“Everyone is welcome in Chapel, no matter their religious beliefs.” Douglas Robins ‘19

Douglas Robins has been a member of the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Student Vestry since eighth grade.  Douglas recently led Upper School Chapel - introducing the scripture and prayers and serving as a guide for the congregation.  The service was well orchestrated with readings projected on a large screen, the school choir in attendance to add to the feelings of worship and the junior class officers presenting a summary of their recent class retreat.   All of this was planned and executed by the Upper School Student Vestry.

A vestry in an Episcopal church is made up of members of the parish, who work with the clergy to shape the spiritual life of the community.  They are there as leaders of the church to represent and speak for the overall church population.  In a similar way, the student vestries here at Episcopal give participants a powerful voice in students’ spiritual life.  The Upper School Vestry and Middle School Vestry groups lead Chapel services, plan the themes, select the speakers and even serve as speakers before their classmates.  

Having a student vestry makes our Chapel services more accessible to the many diverse students that make up our one student body.  As Douglas suggested, Chapel is inclusive and intended for everyone on the Episcopal school campus.  Spiritual development is a cornerstone of an Episcopal education and allowing our students to have such a large role in their own development truly provides them with a sense of ownership and empowerment that further encourages their overall growth.

In addition to spiritual development, being a student vestry member helps our participants develop leadership skills that will serve them well in life.  I am confident that these students will remain active and engaged throughout their lives and that they will gravitate to positions of leadership in whatever they pursue.  

Each year I am humbled and moved when Episcopal seniors list being a part of the student vestry as a highlight of their school tenure.  Considering the numerous co-curricular activities available for our students, this is an amazing testament to the importance placed on spiritual development at Episcopal.  It can be felt in everything we do, from the Honor Code we aspire to live by, to the sense of responsibility and respect shown when students lead and students decide.  

An Episcopal education centers on integrating spiritual formation into all aspects of life.  What better way to do this than by letting students serve as the guide! 

I invite you to learn more about our Episcopal school identity by clicking here. 

The Rev. Kirkland “Skully” Knight has served in Episcopal schools for more than 25 years as a teacher, coach and chaplain. Skully has been at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge since 2011 and serves as the Senior Chaplain and Associate Head of School for Service Learning. Skully earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and his M. Div. from The University of the South at Sewanee. He is married to Mary Sue and they have two daughters, Emily and Katie, both Episcopal graduates.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.