Amanda Turner ’18:
Although Reverend Squire, current Head Chaplain, has been part of the Episcopal community for decades, he recently announced his retirement and his successor, Tim Gavin. As former Lower School Chaplain, Gavin will have new responsibilities as Head Chaplain, extending to all three units rather than one. Scholium spoke with Gavin about his plans for his new role in succeeding Reverend Squire, who had been a major part of Episcopal for so long.
Q: How will this role of head chaplain be different from your previous role?
Gavin: Previously, as the Lower School Chaplain, I just had to be concerned about the Lower School. Now, though, I will be responsible for overseeing the other two chaplains, other faculty members in different departments, the entire student body, parents and alumni.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Leslie
Q: What were your feelings when you were selected? What was the first thing you did?
Gavin: Primarily, I felt honored. I was very happy because I wanted to serve the school in that capacity. I first told my wife Joyce. I had to be sure to keep it quiet, though, until the announcement was made public to the community. I was, however, sure to tell my children just right before the announcement went out because I didn’t want them to find out through social media. I had the liberty to tell my family.
Q: What appealed to you most about being Head Chaplain?
Gavin: A number of things appealed to me. I really believe that the two primary goals of the Head Chaplain are to glorify God and to make sure that the people in the community know that they are loved. What appealed to me is taking those two goals and have it be more comprehensive.
Q: Are there changes that you want to make as Head Chaplain?
Gavin: The legacy that Reverend Squire encouraged, in terms of pastoral care that he provided for the entire community, was really important. I really want to continue that and build upon it. I do want to have the Vestry and Outreach program a little bit more connected than they have been in the past and are currently. For example, I would like to have the Vestry and the Outreach board work together on many projects. Maybe the Can Drive could be expanded, in terms of making it more comprehensive throughout the year and making it clear to everyone that this help is going to real people.
Q: What are you most excited about for your upcoming years?
Gavin: Wow, there are so many things – pretty much everything. I am excited about having a presence in all three units, working more closely with all of the administrative staff and assistants, the cafeteria unit, Upper School students and the alumni. There are just so many things.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Leslie
Q: What are your main goals?
Gavin: I want to continue making Chapel meaningful. I want to give it a shape where people who want it to be a religious experience feel that, but at the same time the people who have more of a secular mind feel included and supported. I want to become very engaged with the student body as an administrator, actually feeling a part of what’s going on and having my finger on the pulse of the deans and communicating that. I want to bridge the gap between worship and outreach. I strongly believe that worship should lead to service.
Q: What is most important to you about Chapel?
Gavin: Well, I want Chapel to be a place where people have an opportunity to pause, reflect. I want people who have the desire to pray to have an opportunity to do so and those who don’t to have the time for quiet reflection. Chapel should be a place where people are challenged to think. It should be a place where God interacts: He hears our prayers and listens to our blessings. I want to broaden the view that people have of Chapel, instead of just a place where they hear a speaker.