Tetelestai

In case you haven't noticed, the world can be a chaotic and confusing place, swirling with all sorts of distractions, storms, and challenges. If only we could somehow “do” more, we might not feel so overwhelmed and alone. If only we could “be” better, maybe we could find peace and joy?  The struggle seems so never-ending! 

Toward the end of his ministry on earth as recorded in the Gospel of John, Jesus is talking with his disciples and sharing many things that the disciples find confusing and uncomfortable.  In his "final discourse" with his friends, Jesus warns about the many persecutions and challenges sure to come.  But Jesus also offers hope by emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit as a "Comforter," "Advocate," and "Spirit of Truth" available to all believers.  

In John 16:33, Jesus reminds his friends that true peace comes only through knowing Him, and that even though we are certain to experience storms in this world, He (Jesus) has already overcome the world. Jesus is encouraging his friends (and all of us!) to be courageous and faithful in the midst of our storms because He has already secured the ultimate victory.   

As we continue reading John's Gospel account, we read about the events leading up to the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Then, in John 19:30, we hear Jesus' final words before His death: "It is finished."  From the Greek word tetelestai (an accounting term meaning "paid in full"), Jesus is again proclaiming victory - victory over sin and death.  In His death and resurrection, Jesus has accomplished His purpose of providing a path for reconciliation.  As believers, we have been offered the gift of redemption through Christ!   Where religion and the world require the impossible standards of  “do” and “be,” Jesus proclaims, “DONE!”   

As you complete your Lenten journey and enter into the joy and peace of Easter this weekend, I encourage you to find courage in the final words of Jesus.  Yes, there will be storms, and yes, the standard is impossible for us to achieve on our own, but be courageous!  Be joyful!  It has been paid!  It is finished!  

Networking Solutions for Schools

June 4, 2025

10:00 am - 11:00 am CST

Networking is critical to all aspects of your campus, but the rising costs year over year are becoming increasingly difficult to absorb. Disrupting the cycle requires reimagining your expectations of your vendor. Learn how the "as-a-service" Networking model is revolutionizing school campus connectivity and saving schools time, money, resources, and cycles.

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Early Learning Webinar Mini-Series

Five-Part On-Demand Webinars

Topics:

• Nurturing Creativity: An Essential Mindset for Young Children's Learning
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• Gardening for Early Learners

SAES Equip Chaplains & Rectors

St. Francis Episcopal School

Houston, TX

July 29-30, 2025

Are you a newly called School Chaplain? Or a newly called Rector to a parish with a school–which is a new ministry experience for you? Perhaps you are a Head of School in a parish that has called a new curate to serve as School Chaplain. In any of these instances, SAES is excited to help you with our Equip Chaplains and Rectors program.

Last summer, the SAES Standards Committee undertook a review of the Standards of the Association. As part of that work, the Association created an additional Standards area focused on Health & Well-being. As you begin planning your annual review of policies and procedures and your in-service work for the return to school next August, now is a good time to look at those Standards and plan for supporting them effectively. 

Standard H.1 requires that SAES schools provide “age-appropriate instruction in personal health and wellness.” As part of your curricular review and assessment, do you find evidence of coordinated and intentional instruction in age-appropriate health and wellness? That might mean handwashing or dental care with preschool children or sex-ed and cyber-safety for high school students. SAES does not require any particular curriculum or course of study, but does expect our schools to treat health and wellness as an important area of instruction with a curriculum that is planned and mapped in the same way as any other academic subject. 

Standard H.2 requires that schools communicate “age-appropriate policies and practices for healthy relationships and personal interactions.”  This Standard would include your disciplinary policies and procedures that govern interactions between members of the community. As you review your handbooks over the summer, ask whether they reflect a commitment to healthy relationships and personal interactions between all members of your community.  Are you intentionally reviewing those policies and their implications for students and employees?  

Standard H.3 calls on SAES schools to implement “programs, training, and education to promote the physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being of its students and employees.” This Standard would include the work schools do to make faculty and staff aware of health benefits provided by the school, as well as providing professional development for health and wellness for students. The Standard also includes health/medical policies that comply with State health regulations regarding communicable disease and immunization. Schools are encouraged to take time to review these policies over the summer and update them as appropriate. 

Finally, please note that the SAES Documents in Adherence to Standards, which is required on all On-Site Visits, includes documentation that the school has provided training and professional development in “student physical, mental, and emotional health” over the prior two years.  So be sure to consider this as you are scheduling faculty/staff meetings and professional development for the 2025-26 year.

Chris Carter

Community   |   Faith   |   Integrity   |   Leadership   |   Support

The mission of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools is to lead, nurture, and unify Episcopal schools in order to advance academic excellence within the faith community of the Episcopal Church.