National Association of Episcopal Schools: Let Your Light Shine!
By the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham

[January 9, 2025]  The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) may have a self-explanatory title, but when they call a gathering every other year, it becomes clear that the whole breadth of the Episcopal Church will be on display. Educators, staff, administrators, clergy, and diocesan-level workers gather for a week of idea-sharing, fellowship, workshops and inspiring plenaries. This year their meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida was particularly lively as they invited the ELCA Lutheran schools contingent to join them. The theme for the 2024 conference was “Let your Light Shine.” (Matthew 5:16)

Personally, among the workshops in which I took part were:  a beach cleanup morning, “Don’t let the ink dry on your mission statement,” “Ready, Set, Search,” and “Appreciation: more than a thank you.” The Rev. David Jackson was also a presenter at the biennial, giving a workshop related to his doctoral work.

​This year the opening Keynote was delivered by Steve Pemberton, author of The Lighthouse Effect and A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home, the latter an autobiography which has, to his surprise, been turned into a “major motion picture.” 

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​Out of his life’s story, he talks passionately about the “Lighthouse Effect” - particularly evident in people “whispering possibilities of bright futures into the ears of children.”

​Though lighthouses are not technically needed by most shipping today, they serve as symbols which still inspire people - as he adroitly noted, VHS tapes are another relic of the past, but there is no National VHS Day, while there is a National Lighthouse Day (7 August).

"Lighthouses don’t know whose lives they help - just like us. Lighthouses existed solely to help others in times of uncertainty - often operating in the most difficult of circumstances.”

​Though he was talking at a schools conference, I hope you take the time to consider the “lighthouses” from your life, as well as wonder who you might lift up, and how?

​Other memorable quotes: “Lighthouses are just - they ask no question nor require any stipulation of those they help.” “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit (Greek Proverb)” 

For those unaware, the Diocese of Hawai’i is itself home to a diverse array of seven schools, and together we have care for almost 4,000 student souls!

​Non-Parochial Schools

‘Iolani School, O'ahu:
(K-12), with 2200 students, dating to 1863.

St. Andrew’s Schools, O'ahu:
PreK-12), 388 students, est. 1867

Seabury Hall, Maui:
(5-12) 532 students, est. 1964

​Parochial Schools

All Saints Preschool, Kaua'i:
PreK) 52 students, est. 1966

Holy Nativity School, O'ahu:
(PreK-6) 135 students, est. 1949

St. Clement’s School, O'ahu:
(PreK-K) 130 students, est. 1949

St. John-the-Divine School, Guam
(PreK-12) 546 students, est. 1962