Founders’ Day 2018
On Wednesday, February 21, we had a wonderful morning celebrating the founding and history of our extraordinary school.
We were delighted to welcome many current families, as well as many alumni students and families, to Founders’ Day. It was also great to see several former Grace employees, such as Mrs. House and Mrs. Wilson!
We were especially excited to welcome back our young yet accomplished Keynote Speaker, Lourdes Fitzgerald (Grace Class of 2012), who is now a junior at Maret and who entertained and inspired our Grace students with some of her happiest memories from her time at Grace. You can read her remarks here.
Head of School Jen Danish invoked the courage and vision of our Founder Jane Wood in her lively speech, which you can read here.
Our Student Council officers shared with us a wonderful prayer written by the Rev. Dr. William R. Wooten, Rector Emeritus of Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring. It was a great reminder of our beautiful partnership, as was the blessing led by the current Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Rev. Andrew W. Walter, who opened our celebration.
Through the years, Grace Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Day School, located in Silver Spring and Kensington, Maryland, have been strong places for proclaiming God’s love to a troubled community, nation, and world. Many times God uses things of this earth to communicate His blessings to us. In particular, when Jesus walked our earth, he often used earthly stories called parables to communicate His message. Once Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the branches; whoever remains in me and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me” (John 15:5). His teaching is for us to remain with Him, obey His commandments and the blessings of God’s grace will give us spiritual life just as the leaf is bound to the branch.
How aptly named are our church and school, showing in this world that they are like a beautiful tree with strong limbs, sturdy branches, and beautiful leaves for all to see. Yes, Grace is the place where God’s blessings abound and flow to us in so many ways over the years. Thanks for those who have gone before, those who are connected now, and those who will come in the future to share in God’s grace and give thanks for our place where God’s grace abounds.
Many thanks to Jenny O’Brien, Grace parent, who photographed the event!