Baccalaureate

Tonight I was honored and humbled to speak to the class of 2016 at their baccalaureate. I graduated with a very diverse group of students, one of a class of 540. My baccalaureate was held in the school gym and a far as I recall was encouraging but decidedly secular. For my community it was an appropriate event. All families were welcome at the event. I was glad to be a part of it. 

For the class of 2016 in Harrisburg the service was much different, but for the community it was very appropriate, and I was glad to be part of it. For small communities, it's important that people of faith have a chance to honor and support their students within the context of their faith. For me, as someone who came to faith in The Gospel in a small Baptist church, it was special to gather with the community in a small Baptist church and share verses that have encouraged me in times of transition. Like the graduates, I find myself at the edge of a change and as I encouraged them to strive for excellence, place God first, and make it a point to engage in a community of believers, I knew I needed to take those steps myself.

Sitting in the church basement after the service, chatting over cake and punch, I knew this would be a fond memory.