Virginia Episcopal School

VES is a co-ed college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades 9 – 12. In our intentionally small, diverse and engaging community—260 young men and women and 40 faculty—we guide students to strive Toward Full Stature in their academic, ethical, spiritual and personal growth.

400 VES RoadLynchburg, Virginia24503
434.385.3600

Spiritual Life

Inscribed above the doors of Langhorne Memorial Chapel, the words “Toward the Full Stature of Manhood” reflect our founder’s vision for VES. Bishop Robert Carter Jett derived this phrase from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians in the New Testament, in which Paul suggests that the more we strive to become like Christ, the more we will realize our own full stature.

While staying true to our Episcopal school roots, we recognize and honor the diversity of our school that is inclusive of Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim students. We seek to learn from each other and develop empathy and understanding that builds respect and serves as the foundation for peace.

VES students have a wide range of opportunities to explore and grow in their faith on campus and off.

  • Chapel. VES gathers as a community in Langhorne Memorial Chapel twice a week for chapel. On Wednesdays, this gathering is a traditional Morning Prayer or Holy Eucharist service. Our time together in chapel allows us the opportunity to encourage one another, ask hard questions, hear each other’s answers and share life together. Special services are held throughout the year, including our traditional Lessons & Carols at Christmastime.
     
  • Serving in Chapel. Students have the opportunity to participate more deeply in chapel as an usher, acolyte or reader, or join the Vestry.
     
  • Prayer is regularly incorporated into campus life. As we gather together as a community for assemblies and seated lunch, we always pause for a moment of prayer.
     
  • In the Classroom. Students may take up to six courses in the Religious Studies department. Offerings include Old Testament, New Testament, World Religions and Biblical Hebrew. Students also may design an Advanced Study program for credit in a religious studies subject that interests them.
     
  • Sunday Evening Prayer/Vespers allow students time to reflect on the week past, share prayer requests, enjoy beautiful music performed by their peers and prepare for the week ahead. And DIG Bible Study engages students and faculty interested in exploring their faith in a weekly group setting.
     
  • Confirmation. Our chaplain, in conjunction with Episcopal ministers in Lynchburg, offers a six-week confirmation class that culminates in being confirmed during a chapel service at VES by The Right Reverend Mark Bourlakas, Bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.
     
  • Meditation and Yoga. Through our Student Life program and extracurricular offerings, students may pursue these practices that designed to unite body, mind and spirit and benefit our students’ health. self-exploration and awareness. Even as students learn the basics of these exercises, the attention and intention required improves the quality of all aspects of their lives.
     
  • Faith-based groups. Students may form or participate in faith-based groups to celebrate the diversity of their religious experiences.
     
  • Spiritual life opportunities in Lynchburg. Lynchburg, known as “the city of churches,” has a rich spiritual heritage that flourishes to day. VES students may participate in this active religious community — with churches of all denominations, a synagogue and mosque. Students also can choose to participate in Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other faith-based youth organizations. There are many ways to engage in spiritual life for all levels of faith. Opportunities for transportation is available to local religious organizations, or students are welcome to join faculty families at their places of worship.
     

School Prayer
 
God our constant friend
Make us humble and wise.
 
Walk beside us on our
journey toward full stature.
 
Strengthen our bodies
for work and play.
Ready our minds for learning.
Purify our hearts for loving.
Gentle our spirits for giving.
Inspire us to illuminate
our VES community and this
world with creativity and grace.

 
Written by the
Chapel Committee