Epiphany Service Brings Presents to the Cathedral

On January 6, 2012, NCS held its Epiphany Cathedral service, which followed tradition by including an appearance by the “Three Wise Men” and one well-loved camel. But this year’s service featured special gifts brought and given by students to the Cathedral itself, for its restoration in the wake of the August 23 earthquake.  As Senior Chaplain Stacy Williams-Duncan stated, "the Cathedral is the Episcopal Church's gift to the nation," and we have been reminded anew of its central role in the life of our community.

The entire Lower School, under the direction of Art Teacher Alison Maffry, created a “Get Well” card for the Cathedral, to express how much the Cathedral meant to them and to offer their best wishes for a speedy restoration. Fifth-grade students Nadya Osman, Naazneen Gill, and Elisabeth Sicoli presented the card to Cathedral Director of Philanthropy Suzy Mink and Mason Foreman Joe Alonso. Then NCS Student Government President Arlana Agiliga announced that students have raised $4,859, with the NCS Alumnae Association contributing an additional $2,000, toward Cathedral restoration efforts.

These gifts are in addition to a $100,000 gift made together by the three Cathedral schools—NCS, Beauvoir, and St. Albans—to the Cathedral this past fall.

The Epiphany service marks the end of the Christmas season, but not its spirit of generosity and gratitude. We are grateful to Mr. Alonso for delivering the day’s homily, and for the work he and his colleagues are doing to restore the Cathedral. We thank 8th grade students Claire Bowen and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wiggins for playing the part of the camel so well this year. We also wish to thank division directors Tawana Purnell, Jody Soja, and Sarah Pelmas for acting as the “Three Wise Men”—and for being Three Wise Women throughout the year!