The HCES Way

Episcopal Identity

"Good Morning, Church!"

Why an Episcopal School?

At Holy Comforter Episcopal School, spiritual formation is at the core of the educational experience.
Episcopal School traditions define our education.

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So, what's so different about "the Episcopal tradition"?

We strive to foster spiritual formation in a grace-filled and inclusive manner. That “inclusive manner” is a distinguishing hallmark of the Anglican approach to education.

We are Christian and the Bible informs and guides our experience as a community of faith in chapel services and celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

All are welcome!

Holy Comforter Episcopal School is a private day school for students in preschool through eighth grade. While all students and faculty attend our school chapel services, our hope is that all persons of all denominations, non-Christian faith traditions or of no religious tradition feel embraced, respected, and valued. All are invited to participate in our worship services.

Episcopal schools exist not merely to educate, but to demonstrate and proclaim the unique worth and beauty of all human beings as creations of a loving, empowering God.

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Spiritual Foundation

We want everyone at our school to build lives of genuine meaning, purpose and service in the world. We believe a spiritual foundation is essential. Accordingly, we believe we were created to:

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Be a community that honors, celebrates and worships God.
Be a model of God’s love and grace.
Serve God in Christ in all persons, regardless of origin, background, ability, or religion.
Strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Students will see these beliefs modeled not only in our worship, but in our shared life as a school community.

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church

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Prayer

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How is the Chapel Program Structured?

Preschool, kindergarten and elementary students attend age-appropriate chapel services three times a week. Middle School students attend Chapel twice in their six-day rotation. While strongly rooted in Judeo-Christian teaching, we also celebrate the diversity of our community. Students of all faiths are invited to participate in chapel in ways that are appropriate to their religion.

Eucharist is celebrated periodically throughout the school year in Chapel. Younger children receive a blessing in lieu of the elements and older students may also choose to receive a blessing.
What Does Religious Inclusion Look Like at Holy Comforter?

A large part of celebrating the uniqueness of each child is recognizing the similarities and differences among us, and finding opportunities to understand the traditions of students with different religious backgrounds.

Prospective families who are researching HCES discover an environment where all faiths and traditions are welcomed, and a religion program that is informational rather than rooted in indoctrination.
Do Students Attend a Religion Class?

PK - 5th grade classes participate in classroom devotions throughout the week, share joys and concerns and pray for one another. Children enjoy learning different blessings to sing before meals.

Our 4th through 8th grade students attend a weekly religion class whose aim is to improve students’ biblical knowledge, while encouraging and equipping them with tools to put their faith in action.

Matthew 22:37-39

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

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Meet Our Chaplain, Hannah Shelly

Hannah Shelly is a lifelong Episcopalian from Jacksonville, Fl. She always knew that she wanted to work with children but not exactly sure in what capacity. The Holy Spirit led her to seeking out her Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of North Florida which she completed in 2019. During her time at UNF, she worked as a paraprofessional in a Montessori school, helping cultivate the love of individual growth and learning. After graduating from UNF she completed a year of service in the Episcopal Service Corps where she worked as a volunteer coordinator for St. James’ Madison Avenue while living simply in the Bronx. During this program is when the Lord called her into the ministry, youth ministry. Hannah was accepted into a three year hybrid program called Center for Youth Ministry Training where she received her Masters degree in youth ministry. While completing this program she worked as a children and youth director at Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, KY where she fell in love with ministry and working with young people in this new way. Hannah loves to encourage individual relationships with faith through deep thinking, wondering, and talking to one another about their beliefs.
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