Lights in the Darkness: National Episcopal Schools Week
This week (Oct. 6-12) is National Episcopal Schools week. I am so proud of the 16 schools we have in our diocese and the many remarkable opportunities they offer.
In a world that often seems dark and scary, we’re all looking for a safe place. A place where we can learn, where we can grow, but where we can also feel at home. A place where we have the opportunity not only to learn, but to become.
The education offered at our Episcopal schools strives to be precisely that kind of environment, one where students are loved and welcomed as well as challenged and stretched. An environment where they not only receive information but actually become more of the man or woman God is calling them to be.
In some ways, my hope for our educational system is that we serve as a light, a light that helps all our students not only get the information that they need but also helps them grow to become people who themselves are lights. These lights are willing to stand up, be counted, serve well and make a difference in the communities where God has placed them.
And that’s really what good Episcopal education is meant to offer: superior education and excellence in leadership training, all in an environment that loves students, cares for students and calls them to be their best.
If you have an interest in Episcopal education, I invite you to check out one of the schools listed at the close of this post. All offer exactly what I describe above, and each would make a wonderful home for any and all prospective students.
Reach out. Acquire information. And see if God wants your child, grandchild or someone else you care about to be a part of the wonderful educational experience Episcopal education offers.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5).
How has Episcopalian education impacted your life? Share this blog and your response on Twitter. Please include my username, @revgregbrewer.
Episcopal Schools of the Diocese of Central Florida
Bartow – Trinity Learning Center (Pre K1 –Pre K4) 500 W. Stuart Street, Bartow 33830 (863)533-4118
Cocoa – St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy (K3-Grade 6) Joi M. Robertson, head of school; 2 Church Street, Cocoa 32922 (321)639-5771 Fax: (321)639-5774 Website: http://www.stmarksacademy.org
DeLand – St. Barnabas Episcopal School (preschool – Grade 8) Paul Garcia, head of school; 322 West Michigan Avenue, DeLand 32720 (386)734-3005 Fax: (386)822-9417 Website: http://www.sbesyes.org
Fort Pierce – St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (preschool – Grade 8) Suzanne D. Barry, acting head of school; 210 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce 34950 (772)461-7689 Fax: (772)461-4683 Website: http://www.staacademy.org
Fruitland Park – Holy Trinity Episcopal School (6-12)] Ronald Bloch, head of school; 2201 Spring Lake Road, Fruitland Park 34731 (352)787-8855 Fax: (352)787-8063
Lake Mary – St. Peter’s Pre-School & Kindergarten Wendy Berghane, director, 700 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary 32746 (407)444-5673 Fax: (407)333-9342 Website: http://www.stpeterslakemary.org
Longwood – Sweetwater Episcopal Academy (K4 – Grade 6) Cynthia Lane, head of school; 251 East Lake Brantley Drive, Longwood 32779 (407)862-1882 Fax: (407)788-1714 Website: http://www.sweetwaterepiscopal.org
Melbourne – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (Preschool – Grade 12) Dr. Katherine Cobb, president of school; Upper School (Grades 7 – 12] 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Melbourne 32940 (321)723-8323 Fax: (321)723-2553
Lower School (Pre-K through Grade 6) 50 W. Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne 32901 (321)723-8323 Fax: (321)308-9077 Website: http://www.htacademy.org
Mount Dora – St. Edward’s Episcopal Pre-School Heather Fortson, director; 460 N. Grandview, Mount Dora 32757 (352)383-0290 Website: https://www.stedpreschool.com/
Orlando – St. Mary of the Angels Pre-School Brandi Lavoie, director; 6316 Matchett Road, Orlando 32809 (407)851-4723 Fax: (407)855-1984 Website: http://www.stmaryangels.org
Orlando – St. Michael’s -School [Ages 18 mos-Pre-K] Melanie Olivier, director; 2499 N. Westmoreland Drive, Orlando 32804 (407)425-8550 Ext. 245 Website: http://www.stmichaelschurch.com
Vero Beach – St. Edwards School [Preschool – Grade 12] Michael Mersky, head of school, Lower School (Pre-K – Grade 5): 2225 Club Drive, Vero Beach 32963 (772)231-5357
Middle & Upper School: 1895 St. Edward’s Drive, Vero Beach 32963 Middle School (772)231-1677; Upper School (772)231-4136 Fax: (772)231-2427 Website: http://www.steds.org
Winter Garden – Children of the Messiah Pre-School Barbara Ellerbe, Director 241 N. Main Street, Winter Garden 34787 (407)654-8415 https://churchofthemessiah.com/school/preschool/
Messiah Academy, Terri Wetherington, director (407) 656-3218 https://churchofthemessiah.com/school/messiah-academy/
Winter Haven – All Saints’ Academy (Preschool – Grade 12) 5001 State Road 540W, Winter Haven 33880 Elizabeth Hardage, head of school (863)293-5980 Fax: (863)298-8489 Website: http://www.allsaintsacademy.com
Winter Park – All Saints School (6wks – 5 years) Ms. Emory Messeroff, director; 338 East Lyman Avenue, Winter Park 32789 (407)644-1737 Website: http://www.allsaintsschoolwp.com
Winter Park – Trinity Preparatory School (Grades 6-12) Byron M. Lawson, Jr., headmaster; 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park 32792 (407)671-4140 Fax: (407)671-6935 Website: http://www.trinityprep.org
(This post is an adaption of Bishop Brewer’s messages delivered by video to students in the fall of 2019.)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.