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#EHSServes: Rev. Rodney Rice '79 on the Meaning of Service
This month, we’re highlighting alumni pursuing lives of service — to country, their local community, and the world. For today’s installment, we have the Rev. Rodney Rice ’79, who is the founder and chief education officer at ARÊTE Educators in Maryland, working with local schools and other community-based organizations to provide after-school tutoring for at-risk children and families. He also serves the Baltimore City community through his ministry at the Church of the Holy Nativity. Read more about Rice’s journey through service and faith in his own words.
What does being of service mean to you?
I don’t consider what I do as “service” in the traditional way of thinking. I look at service as doing what I love to do, which involves teaching and mentoring others and encouraging them to do whatever brings joy and well-being to all people. From that perspective, we all do service when we do what we love and contribute back to the world in pure, positive ways.
How has service changed your life?
When I served as the associate rector for outreach and mission at St. James’ Church in Baltimore, I created St. James’ Academy, an after-school program to support local children who were active members of the church, largely as a result of the efforts of one woman fondly known as “Mama Bert.” Our program was staffed by retired teachers, principals, and social workers who worked collaboratively to create a program that focused on academic preparation and career development. The Baltimore city school superintendent was also a member of our board. Not only did we provide clothing, food, and emotional support, but we also provided mentors, academic coaching, and homework assistance for children in this under-resourced community. I will never forget how this program showed me that tapping into others’ interests and skills not only invites more people to commit to a project, but it also conveys a strong message that everyone has something to give — something that can make a difference to others.
What prompted you to a life of service? Did Episcopal help lead you down that path?
My whole life has been about taking risks to open doors for others. I was one of the first African American students to graduate from Episcopal High School. This experience was difficult yet ultimately the beginning of a longstanding relationship with the Episcopal Church. In 2019, I returned to Episcopal and served on the committee commemorating 50 years of integration and also created opportunities to discuss the issues facing students of color presently attending Episcopal. I was thrilled to be able to give back to the school in this way.
What do you hope your legacy will be?
I have been the first African American priest and teacher in many of the parishes and schools I have served. I had great success in the late ’80s helping the Diocese of Virginia address its history of racism and inequality. Together, with the rector, vestry, and many parishioners, we set up a structure that allowed people to share their opinions but also included them in developing ways that we could all contribute to becoming a more inclusive community. I hope people will think of me as one who brought healing, acceptance, and laughter to others in a way that elicited the best in everyone and every situation.
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What does being of service mean to you?
I don’t consider what I do as “service” in the traditional way of thinking. I look at service as doing what I love to do, which involves teaching and mentoring others and encouraging them to do whatever brings joy and well-being to all people. From that perspective, we all do service when we do what we love and contribute back to the world in pure, positive ways.
How has service changed your life?
When I served as the associate rector for outreach and mission at St. James’ Church in Baltimore, I created St. James’ Academy, an after-school program to support local children who were active members of the church, largely as a result of the efforts of one woman fondly known as “Mama Bert.” Our program was staffed by retired teachers, principals, and social workers who worked collaboratively to create a program that focused on academic preparation and career development. The Baltimore city school superintendent was also a member of our board. Not only did we provide clothing, food, and emotional support, but we also provided mentors, academic coaching, and homework assistance for children in this under-resourced community. I will never forget how this program showed me that tapping into others’ interests and skills not only invites more people to commit to a project, but it also conveys a strong message that everyone has something to give — something that can make a difference to others.
What prompted you to a life of service? Did Episcopal help lead you down that path?
My whole life has been about taking risks to open doors for others. I was one of the first African American students to graduate from Episcopal High School. This experience was difficult yet ultimately the beginning of a longstanding relationship with the Episcopal Church. In 2019, I returned to Episcopal and served on the committee commemorating 50 years of integration and also created opportunities to discuss the issues facing students of color presently attending Episcopal. I was thrilled to be able to give back to the school in this way.
What do you hope your legacy will be?
I have been the first African American priest and teacher in many of the parishes and schools I have served. I had great success in the late ’80s helping the Diocese of Virginia address its history of racism and inequality. Together, with the rector, vestry, and many parishioners, we set up a structure that allowed people to share their opinions but also included them in developing ways that we could all contribute to becoming a more inclusive community. I hope people will think of me as one who brought healing, acceptance, and laughter to others in a way that elicited the best in everyone and every situation.
