Vol. 12, No. 5 Tappahannock, Virginia, December 2009

Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,

Amidst the ringing bells and bubbly anticipation that surround us in these weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I cherish the quiet moments, sometimes in the midst of our whole school community, sometimes with close friends, sometimes alone, when the occasion or the activity draws me inward to reflect on the real gifts of this season.

I give thanks for the gentle progression of the traditional Advent services that always begins with a reminder that this is a period of preparation to receive the gift of light and hope that is the promise of the Christmas story. Together we light one additional candle in chapel each week, sing hymns of angels and joy, commemorate our community outreach, process by candlelight to St. John’s for an evening service of Lessons and Music provided by our students and teachers, and gather in our riverside chapel for the Latin classes’ reenactment of the birth of Jesus, blessed to have our own newest St. Margaret’s baby animating the occasion.

Sitting before the fire at home, with leadership journals on my lap, I spend a Sunday evening reading about how these thoughtful seniors are experiencing these weeks and writing back my own encouragement and appreciations. This month their leadership lessons began with a movie and readings on the incredible power of random acts of kindness and their words convey what they have done and what they have learned - a deeper sense of confidence and connection, an awakening of their understanding that their generosity multiplies outward as an essential element in this kind, warm, welcoming community and can truly become a part of their daily lives.

For decades now, I have chosen to forgo the flurry of shopping, replacing it with hours spent in my kitchen with my cookie cutter collection, making then hand painting hundreds of brightly colored cookies, each created to symbolically convey the essence of a special person in this shared life. Today, they are named and arranged together on the table in St. Margaret’s Hall, allowing us to gather and appreciate each other – the camels which will carry us across the Egyptian desert, spirited Scottie dogs, a Noah’s ark with the LaLiberty twins and their teddy bears, sailboats and cars, hearts and stars, cats and dogs, well dressed girls and women, handsome Santas and men, angels and Paddington bears, large and small. As we await the light which enters our lives on Christmas morning, these are reminders of those whose love and deep, deep care enlightens our days throughout the year.

To each of you, I send my love and warmest wishes that you, too, will find and share the light, joy, and hope that are the promise of this season. Joyeux Noel!

Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School



 

Community Service at SMS:
St. Margaret’s in the Season of Giving......

Holiday Celebrations at SMS:
Holidays at St. Margaret’s......

Who Am I?:
Addressing Identity......

My River Views:
Features Rebecca McKinley ‘10 on Giving Back......

Did you know! St. Margaret’s annual Christmas celebration Lessons and Music is certainly a community affair with participants of all ages and connections to the community. Readers included faculty member Marshall Lloyd and his 10 year old daughter Kendall, Ellen Ruebush, Elizabeth Tilbury and Natasha Kollaros. Students included Suji An ’11, Andrea Campillo ’14 and Brittany McPherson ’10. Beverly Edwards led the choir.  Solo musicians included faculty member Rebekah Spraitzar performing on the piano, faculty member George McDowell performing on the guitar, faculty member Carol Cresson sang and was accompanied on the piano by Hee Min Lee ’10.  Ge Min Park ’11 and Alex Coleman ‘10 performed solos on their violin and cello respectively.

Alumnae Association Upcoming Events Your event calendar is at www.sms.org/alumcalendar