Women’s History Month Chapel

On Sunday, March 23, as our students and faculty returned from Spring Break, we welcomed everyone into St. Mary’s Chapel to continue our celebration of Women’s History Month.  As a bookend to the installation of the Cherry Blossom Exhibit featuring women we appreciate and admire on a personal level, this chapel service focused on instrumental women who helped shape the early narrative of the Christian Church.

In hopes that you too might consider the vast contributions women have made in the world, and continue to make every day, here are highlights from this special service. 

Kate D. ‘27 led our call-and-response gathering words, quoting Sakena Yacoobi, the founder and Executive Director of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), an Afghan women-led NGO she founded in 1995.  

“When you share love, compassion, and wisdom, you provide humanity with an indestructible base for living in peace and harmony.”  As is the Chatham Hall tradition, our community responds with Mary’s words from the Magnificat, “My spirit to rejoice, my soul to proclaim.”

 

Dr. Yun taught community members the hymn Love Astounding written by Jeannette Lindholm. She is a professor of English at Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts, and a hymnist. She is receiving a MTS from Boston University. Her hymns appear in a variety of hymnals and supplements, including Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Voices Found: Women in the Church’s Song (Episcopal), Voices Together, and All Creation Sings. Her hymnal “Songs for the Holy Other: Hymns” affirms the LGBTQ+ Community. 

 

Anushree A. ‘27 offered our first reading, reciting a poem by Rupi Kaur.  Born in Punjab, India, Kaur has become one of the most famous poets in the world.  A breakout literary phenomenon and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Kaur wrote, illustrated, and self-published her first poetry collection, “Milk and Honey,” in 2014.  Since then, she has published several other collections and is regarded as “writer of the decade” by the New Republic. She has also been recognized on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.  

“The Greatest Lesson a Woman Should Learn”                                                                   

What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn

that since day one

she's already had everything she needs within herself

it's the world that convinced her she did not. 

― Rupi Kaur, The Sun and Her Flowers

 

Isabella CP. ’25 gave an overview of Lydia, Priscilla, and Tabitha (also known as Dorcas), prominent women in the early church, each of whom played a unique role in spreading the Gospel. Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, opened her home to Paul and his companions in Philippi, becoming a center for the new Christian community. Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, was a skilled tentmaker and teacher of the gospel, known for her wisdom and hospitality. Tabitha was a compassionate woman, known for her acts of service and charity, and was even raised from the dead by Peter.  

 

Lesson One shared by Isabella CP. ‘25

 

Lesson Two shared by Priscella B ‘25

From the Book of Acts:

After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. 

(Paul continues to travel to different places along the Mediterranean sea establishing churches with the help of Prisciilla and her husband whose financial resources are very helpful). 

From 1 Corinthians:

The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord.

Lesson Three shared by Coach Mary Semler

Acts 9: 36 - 41 (Tabitha)

Our last lesson introduced our community to Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, as another faithful disciple of Jesus.  An extraordinary story about Tabitha is that when she becomes sick and dies, the Holy Spirit moves Peter to pray for her and a miracle occurs. Her story told in the book of Acts 9:36 follows:

 

 

And Tabitha continued the service work she was called to do.                                             

 

Chaplain Barksdale led the community in a reflection following these stories, sharing that all three women are impressive and important figures in their own right. “They stand in the tradition of strong female figures who regularly appear throughout the stories of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles,” she said. “They demonstrate the importance of women's leadership in the movement that became known as Christianity.  Lydia, a businesswoman, Priscella, a missionary, and Tabitha, a disciple. Each one helped to improve the lives of others in their own way.”  

Everyone was encouraged to think about the last two weeks and the women they saw or met over spring break. Who welcomed you?  Who helped you?  Who made a difference, albeit at home or in Spain, New Mexico, Cambodia, or any other place you traveled? What did these women do to make your life better? After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, attendees shared stories of these women with those seated nearby.  Qualities of these women were then named aloud, for which the community offered thanksgivings.

In closing, we prayed the following community prayer led by Coach Claire Crivaro:

 

Finally, Aspen S. ‘25 led us in an Adaptation of the Lord’s Prayer by J. Manny Santiago from the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.