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FOREWORD

The chapel service at the Episcopal School of New York is about to begin. A sense of anticipation is palpable: parents are gathering, and children and their teachers are entering the chapel space. In the front of the room sits Bill Gordh, calmly playing music on his banjo. His face glows with a sense of welcome; so, too, he communicates to both adult and child that this is a distinctive time and space, in stark contrast to the “business as usual” that can quickly fill up the day of those now gathering here, in this moment. As Bill quietly and devotedly sets the tone, he in turn is sensing the tone of the group, picking up cues regarding mood, worry, and preoccupation. Some of the children point to their artwork, which Bill will use in the chapel service. This is both a very happy time as well as a serious time.

As the chapel service begins, Bill establishes an atmosphere of reverence, empathy, and, above all, welcome. Children and adults both feel that sense of welcome: they have come to associate this chapel space and service with a clear sense of belonging, regardless of their religious affiliation or no affiliation at all. To believer and nonbeliever alike, something important is happening here. Thanks to Bill’s masterful leadership, not to mention sheer hard work and careful preparation, chapel at the Episcopal School is an experience that those gathered have come to look forward to, as they know something out of the ordinary is about to take place.

As Bill leads the group in song, then tells a story, he displays an adeptness at connecting with his congregation. He knows the developmental and spiritual needs of children, he understands not only how to keep their attention, but to involve them in the story he is telling. As is the case with so many children’s chapels, one child shouts out something surprising, perhaps distracting, but Bill knows not only how to respond, but how to include that child’s observation into the wondrous web of story and song he is developing.

Bill Gordh stands firmly within the oral tradition that lies at the base of our biblical faith. He communicates through story the elements of grace, mercy, and hope that the biblical writers have gifted us. At the same time, Bill has developed a unique talent for incorporating folktales from throughout the world into his chapel repertoire. His sense of inclusion and a wide embrace of the spiritual resources from a variety of traditions, both sacred and secular, have augmented his chapel services in recent years. His distinctive sense of curiosity, reflected in this unique assemblage of folktales and songs, is something he communicates to all of those gathered for the chapel service each week. He invites his congregation to be curious about God and the spiritual and moral life.

The title of this book, Making Room for Everyone, is as much a reflection of who Bill Gordh is, as a leader and advocate for children’s worship, as what he strives to accomplish in this remarkable volume. Through his understanding of children, his utilization of a vast array of resources, and his remarkable openness to the moment, Bill makes room, plenty of room. The care he exhibits each week in chapel is so evident in the care he has taken here to provide an exhaustive set of resources, combined with the wisdom he shares with us about children, their spiritual needs, and the “place apart” he constructs in chapel.

The pages ahead give clear evidence of the work not only of a theoretician—Bill clearly knows his subject matter—but a practitioner. To me, what is so remarkable about this book is how much it is a reflection of what Bill does each week in school chapel. For many years Episcopal schools have been greatly blessed by Bill Gordh’s leadership. He has helped countless educators understand more fully how to “make room” for children in this experience we call worship. His diligence, serious thinking, and welcoming demeanor help make our encounter with the living God transformative, liberating, and joyful. So, too, he gently guides us in such a way that even those who are struggling with how to lead worship for children will feel supported, equipped, and even excited about what can happen in chapel.

Thanks to Bill, and the extensive array of resources he has provided here, there is plenty of room, even in a small space and particularly for small people.

The Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, D.D.

Executive Director, National Association of Episcopal Schools