NATCHEZ &045; The new chaplain at Trinity Episcopal Day School isn’t new to the classroom, but what he’s doing now isn’t exactly old hat either.

A former math and science teacher, Brandt Dick is now dealing with questions that don’t exactly have cut and dry answers.

In the mornings he teaches two religion classes, one to middle school students one to high school seniors.

&uot;I’d feel much more comfortable teaching math,&uot; he said. &uot;This is all uncharted territory. But it’s the questions that matter and that fits right in with physics.&uot;

Trinity had been without a chaplain for a year, but when Dick was appointed to serve as curate at Trinity Episcopal Church, he filled the open slot at the school.

Head of School Delecia Carey has left much of the curriculum up to him, something he said has been a challenge.

In senior religion, the class is discussion oriented with a focus on scripture, church history and doctrine.

The middle school class is much of the same, but less intense, he said. It’s a one-semester course. Seventh-graders are in the class now; eighth-graders will take it next semester.

Dick’s school responsibilities also include leading chapel two days a week. Three-year-olds through fourth-graders come one day; fifth- through 12th-graders come the next day.

The seniors help with both services, especially with the younger children.

&uot;More and more, the seniors will take over,&uot; Dick said. &uot;They portray Bible stories to the children.&uot;

Working with the younger grades has been a new experience, he said, but not a bad one. He said he works to keep the children involved in the service, like using them to make a wave during the story of Jonah and the whale.

&uot;I’m a kid at heart anyway,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s kind of like being an uncle, you get them all riled up and then give them back to the parents.&uot;

Dick will serve three years with the Natchez church, time enough to build relationships, Carey said.

&uot;We are very careful to be sure he’s never involved in the discipline side so children don’t look at him as somebody who might punish them, rather someone they can confide in.

&uot;He’s doing all that work now that will build those kind of relationships later on as children get to know him better.&uot;

Episcopal schools are required to have a chaplain on staff, and his presence can become essential for some kids, Carey said.

Dick leaves the school at lunch and heads to the church where his main job is to learn to become a priest. He has lead some services, helps with all of them, makes visits and is around for whatever is needed.

The McComb native, his wife Erica and 5-year-old son Zach have been in Natchez since June. Erica also teaches at Trinity and Zach is in kindergarten there.

Dick is a recent graduate of Sewanee.