The Purple Martin Blog

Building Bridges:
Expanding Interfaith Dialogue
and Understanding at ESN

By Dr. James Jordan
Dr. Jordan is the Head of School at ESN.

Not a School Exclusively for Christians

The Episcopal School of Nashville strives to be a sanctuary of understanding and respect. You may be surprised that not every student at ESN is an Episcopalian. In fact, Episcopalians constitute about 10-15% of our student population, with another 40-50% of our students identifying as Christian. As the former Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, Reverend Peter Cheney, told me when I joined ESN three years ago, ESN is a Christian school for all, not a school only for Christians. Peter served as my executive coach during my transition to headship and I often reflect upon his wisdom. At ESN our Episcopal identity compels us to delve deeper, to seek understanding, and to embrace the varied faith and secular traditions that our community members bring with them. In this entry, we spotlight ESN’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and our vision for its future.

The Imperative of Interfaith Dialogue

In today’s globalized world, engaging in conversations about diverse religious and secular beliefs isn’t just commendable—it’s crucial. Interfaith dialogue:

  • Deepens our grasp on faith, pushing our boundaries of understanding.

  • Eliminates misconceptions, challenges stereotypes, and fosters a genuine appreciation for other people’s beliefs.

  • Paves the path for peace, cohesion, and unity within our community.

Current Interfaith Initiatives at ESN

  • Chapel Sessions: Our all-school chapel services
    have been graced by guest speakers sharing the unique faith journeys. We aim to introduce students to the principles, customs, and values of different religious traditions.

  • Curriculum Integration: In every grade, teachers embrace the multifaceted ways in which students present in the classroom, and there are several opportunities for students to share about their families and traditions. Additionally, in 8th grade, students to familiarize themselves with the beliefs, traditions, and practices of various faith communities in their formal study of world religions. 

Expanding Our Interfaith Horizon

As we look to the future, we are eager to expand our interfaith efforts and provide our students with a richer, more holistic understanding of global and local beliefs:

  • Community Outreach: We’re keen on building stronger ties with diverse places of worship, offering our students firsthand experiences of various religious practices.

  • Guest Speakers Series: While we have welcomed several speakers in the past, we wish to broaden our horizons further. Inviting leaders and practitioners from a multitude of faiths and secular traditions will offer our students a panoramic view of global religious landscapes.

  • Interfaith Celebrations: Celebrating major religious festivals and rituals is on our radar. By recognizing and celebrating these milestones, we ensure every student’s traditions are respected and celebrated.

Join Our Interfaith Endeavor

We invite parents, community leaders, and religious practitioners to join us in broadening our interfaith initiatives. If you can introduce us to potential guest speakers, interfaith activities, or if you wish to share your own religious journey with our students, your insights would be invaluable. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at: James.Jordan@esnashville.org.