New York, NY—The National Association of Episcopal Schools is pleased to announce that the theme for Episcopal Schools Celebration (ESC) 2011-2012, scheduled for October 2–8, 2011, will be "Let the Whole World See and Know."
The theme is drawn from the beautiful collect in the Book of Common Prayer found the liturgy for the Great Vigil of Easter and in all three ordination liturgies:
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, you Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
To begin planning your schools’ ESC gathering, propers for the occasion are now available:
- Ezekiel 37:1–14
- Psalm 148
- Romans 8:18–25
- Mark 4:26–32
A full resource brochure, including suggested hymns, will be sent to all schools, parishes, cathedral, dioceses, and other Episcopal Church institutions this summer. It will also be available on the NAES website.
Episcopal Schools Celebration (ESC) provides schools, early childhood ducation programs and school exploration committees with the opportunity to celebrate their ministry and that of the over 1,250 other programs throughout the Episcopal Church. Whether it is at school, the parish or cathedral or at a diocesan-wide service or event, ESC is the time to give thanks and to proclaim to your community and the Church the good news that is the ministry of Episcopal schools. Observed the week beginning with the first Sunday in October, ESC highlights a different aspect of Episcopal school identity and mission through the event’s theme.