COMING HOME
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. – Jeremiah 15:16
Obvious changes in the wardrobes of students and faculty remind us that Spirit Week has once again arrived on campus. Tuesday was an exhibition of decades’ past in the Upper Division, from neon leggings and headbands to peace signs and round-spectacled glasses, along with the occasional punk rocker. Wednesday is wacky day in the Middle Division, with on-purpose clashing of patterns and unmatched, well, anything. Friday will be showered with Berkeley apparel, as all divisions come together spirit day and a pep rally. Spirit Week, of course, culminates with the Homecoming football game on Friday and subsequent dance on Saturday. Families, alumni, friends, students, and faculty will fill up the stands and cheer on our Berkeley Bucs against crosstown opponent Sickles High School.
Homecoming is believed to have originated in 1911 at The University of Missouri, when Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to “come home” and cheer on the Tigers against their border rival, the Kansas Jayhawks. The plea was successful, as over 10,000 alums showed up for the parade, bonfire, and football contest. That game was a defensive struggle, ending in a 3-3 tie. With our potent offense, I doubt our Berkeley Bucs can be held to just 3 points on Friday night.
School spirit was not the only reason that alumni strongly responded to Chester’s call. The campus must have also felt like home – a safe haven for individuals to feel loved and accepted; a place of comfort that creates a magnetic pull on community. Those associated with The University of Missouri must have felt that longing to return; a desire to reconnect and “come home.”
These very reasons, and many more, make Berkeley Preparatory School so special – a campus that draws us in and blends a unique mixture of tradition and livelihood.
People of faith know the importance of homecoming, too. The minutiae of day-to-day life and the busyness of the modern student and family can cause anyone to wander away from spiritual disciplines. The slow-but-steady tide of pressures, mounting anxiety, and high expectations can result in even the most determined soul to feel isolated or adrift at sea. It is precisely at these moments that we need holy companions to call us home, to guide us back to our breath and hearts and deepest hopes. We may not be battling a stingy 1911 Kansas Jayhawks defense, but the spiritual forces of a high-demand world also hold a powerful influence.
A couple of weeks ago a student reached out to catch up. She mentioned her life had gotten so busy that making it to church on Sundays had become too overwhelming. We went on to wonder about more flexible ways to stay in touch with God and her spiritual life. Aided by the Book of Common Prayer, I ended up concocting a brief evening prayer rhythm that she could try on for size. This homecoming invitation was a bit nuanced, but my hope is that she returns to that safe haven of God’s loving arms – even in the midst of a chaotic life.
I pray this Spirit Week is rejuvenating and soul-giving for us all. And that we are able to come home, in whatever way is needed most.
To make sure that you don’t miss the Chaplain’s Weekly Blog, subscribe by going to your SETTINGS in myBERKELEY and under Notification select the Edit Options for News Posted and turn on the notifications for Chaplain’s Blog.
Back
Obvious changes in the wardrobes of students and faculty remind us that Spirit Week has once again arrived on campus. Tuesday was an exhibition of decades’ past in the Upper Division, from neon leggings and headbands to peace signs and round-spectacled glasses, along with the occasional punk rocker. Wednesday is wacky day in the Middle Division, with on-purpose clashing of patterns and unmatched, well, anything. Friday will be showered with Berkeley apparel, as all divisions come together spirit day and a pep rally. Spirit Week, of course, culminates with the Homecoming football game on Friday and subsequent dance on Saturday. Families, alumni, friends, students, and faculty will fill up the stands and cheer on our Berkeley Bucs against crosstown opponent Sickles High School.
Homecoming is believed to have originated in 1911 at The University of Missouri, when Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to “come home” and cheer on the Tigers against their border rival, the Kansas Jayhawks. The plea was successful, as over 10,000 alums showed up for the parade, bonfire, and football contest. That game was a defensive struggle, ending in a 3-3 tie. With our potent offense, I doubt our Berkeley Bucs can be held to just 3 points on Friday night.
School spirit was not the only reason that alumni strongly responded to Chester’s call. The campus must have also felt like home – a safe haven for individuals to feel loved and accepted; a place of comfort that creates a magnetic pull on community. Those associated with The University of Missouri must have felt that longing to return; a desire to reconnect and “come home.”
These very reasons, and many more, make Berkeley Preparatory School so special – a campus that draws us in and blends a unique mixture of tradition and livelihood.
People of faith know the importance of homecoming, too. The minutiae of day-to-day life and the busyness of the modern student and family can cause anyone to wander away from spiritual disciplines. The slow-but-steady tide of pressures, mounting anxiety, and high expectations can result in even the most determined soul to feel isolated or adrift at sea. It is precisely at these moments that we need holy companions to call us home, to guide us back to our breath and hearts and deepest hopes. We may not be battling a stingy 1911 Kansas Jayhawks defense, but the spiritual forces of a high-demand world also hold a powerful influence.
A couple of weeks ago a student reached out to catch up. She mentioned her life had gotten so busy that making it to church on Sundays had become too overwhelming. We went on to wonder about more flexible ways to stay in touch with God and her spiritual life. Aided by the Book of Common Prayer, I ended up concocting a brief evening prayer rhythm that she could try on for size. This homecoming invitation was a bit nuanced, but my hope is that she returns to that safe haven of God’s loving arms – even in the midst of a chaotic life.
I pray this Spirit Week is rejuvenating and soul-giving for us all. And that we are able to come home, in whatever way is needed most.
To make sure that you don’t miss the Chaplain’s Weekly Blog, subscribe by going to your SETTINGS in myBERKELEY and under Notification select the Edit Options for News Posted and turn on the notifications for Chaplain’s Blog.
Berkeley Preparatory School
Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.