Pomp and Circumstance

As graduation nears, I wanted to post what I shared with the FUMC parents, soon-to-be graduates and youth workers at the Senior Dinner on May 27, 2012. This is a special group of young people, both collectively and individually. They each made their mark on this community, their school, the youth group and the entire First Methodist congregation. By living their faith out loud, they let us know they were here. They will continue to do the same in the next Chapter of their life. Congratulations Class of 2012!

Last year about this time, I remember telling the youth and some of you parents, “It won’t be long till graduation.” And it’s here: that awkward time of parents hanging on for one last memory and seniors ready to get it done.

So enjoy tonight, whatever place you find yourself, because the next two weeks will fly by. They will be emotional and y’all may not have a chance to say the things you want to say so hopefully tonight you can.

Traditionally, I use a song that says what I want to say about the senior class much better than I can put into words. I hope I have done that. I will be using a song by Lady Antebellum and the title is “I Was Here.” I invite you to listen to the words. For those of you hard of hearing, I have them printed. Then I will make a few brief comments.

This song was used in the 2008 Olympics because each athlete competes and dreams of that moment and that achievement. Those of you gathered here have dreamed of this time – individually, for your children or for the kids in this youth group. And as great as these milestones are, just as important are the significant moments along the way – you have been making your mark for a long time. Some of you made a mark coming into the world, some of you made a splash in the nursery, some of you starred in plays and musicals, some of you stood together at confirmation. Others have come back into the fold gradually for specific events. Still others have joined the church as new members. Regardless where you appear on the timeline, you took LOL and saw something different. You’ve chosen to live your faith out loud. Many have carved your name in your school through academics, athletics, chorus, drama and ROTC. You’ve taken time to let this community and others know you were here by serving a meal at Potter’s House, playing with children at Camp Sunshine, serving a meal at the Boys and Girls Club – or tutoring and teaching them Spanish. You chose to do something better with your time in the summers beginning with the Mission Trip to Rockford. We left more than a trace in Choctaw. We touched a few hearts in Detroit, including Fran. We did more than just pass through the arch in St. Louis,

And your faith has been noticed by others at Valle Crucis, on Youth Sunday, through prayer texts, out back at Tequila’s, early mornings at McDonald’s for prayer breakfasts, and blogs and twitter feeds that tell the world what FUMC means to you. We have shared joys and sorrows. I will forever remember this class for the way you embraced me during my mother’s death. And as you move forth from this place tonight, as you graduate in a couple of weeks – yes, you’ve achieved a milestone but you are who you are because of your Creator, the people sitting beside of you, the families you represent and a church filled with pride when they think of their youth. So although many things will change for you in the coming months, the one constant is God knows the plans he has for you and I believe there is a reason “plans” is plural. You may take multiple roads to get to a variety of destinations but God and FUMC will work with you. If you don’t take anything else away from tonight, take away that you want to do something that matters and something that says “I was here.” And that goes for all of us here, we all need to do more than pass through this life.

Parents, you don’t need to quit doing, being, serving, praying, witnessing, and coming to church just because your kids are finished.

Seniors, don’t put your faith on the shelf for the next few years. Find ways to stay connected to the one who made you, died for you and rose again for you.

In a moment your parents will wrap a blanket around you carved with the cross and flame. Let this remind you of this evening and our love for you.

Hand in Hand

The youth illustrated that they are walking hand in hand with God and one another on their faith journey. This photo was taken on Palm Sunday as the youth hiked Crowders Mountain!

Thistle Farming

I am a thistle farmer. Before this weekend (May 4-6, 2012), I had no clue what that meant. Most of us pictured arriving at an idyllic farm filled with beautiful purple flowers. Little did we know that the whole reason for the name "thistle" farms is because it grows in places most people wouldn't travel. Thistles can be spotted under bridges, on banks and around railroad tracks-just to name a few spots.

We were fortunate enough to pick alongside experts from the Magdalene House. They knew precisely how to angle and cut the thistles so as not to be punctured by the prickly stalks. Brittany and Tonya shared their story of living on the streets and living without purpose. When they found this recovery program, they began to experience community and love in a new way. From the thistles, healing body products are made such as lotions, soaps and shower gel. The entire process represents the struggles of the women in recovery and their renewed sense of self-worth.

As we traveled the streets of Nashville, we fixed our eyes on these thistles growing wild. Even a policeman stopped us and asked us, "what in the world do you want with those things?" We wanted what most people considered a nuisance. Sounds like Jesus, doesn't it? He talked to the woman at the well, the same as his disciples.

As we drove back from Nashville, we were quick to spot patches of thistles; however, on the drive up we had not even noticed those same purple flowers. When I returned to Gastonia, there was a thistle spotting on Belvedere Avenue. I had to ask myself, " how many other things and people in God's creation have I ignored?" What else have I walked by and not given its proper attention? As usual, the mini-mission trip was supposed to be about helping others, but I gained so much perspective from this experience.

Never Forgotten

While my family was in Denver, CO for the Women's Basketball Final Four, we took the opportunity to visit Columbine Memorial Park.

On April 20, 1999, in a senseless act of violence, twelve students and one teacher were killed and many others wounded at Columbine High School It was a tragic event that shocked the Denver community and saddened the nation. The memorial is dedicated to the victims, so that they are "never forgotten."

I felt as if I were standing on Holy Ground and there were indeed angels all around. Charlie, Catherine and I stood in awe and silence as we read marker after marker of the community's reflections of that horrific day.

One of the parents shared, "I hope people come to this place to think about how they themselves can be better people rather than come here to reflect on death." So, with this parent's desire, my quest began to find hope in this park. I found Rachel's marker. She is the student that responded to the gunman's question "do you believe in God" and she said "you know I do." I hope I can demonstrate that same unflappable faith in the face if death.

The next plaque was a student saying they were laughing and then it turned to crying and he thought, why is this happening to us. It reminded me that we all go through circumstances in life that cause us to ask "why," even Christ cried out in frustration, but our hope is in the living Christ. I tweeted a picture of this frame to the youth during prayer breakfast on Tuesday and Rawlings was able to share a devotion based on my experience.

On this particular day, I looked out at the landscape of the Colorado Rockies and found hope in our Creator. It was truly breathtaking. I prayed to an awesome God, giving thanks for this opportunity to find Sabbath in the extreme reverence afforded this place. It felt eerily similar to visiting Ground Zero in New York City after the attacks of 9/11. I also prayed that as a nation and community we have learned from these events. That somehow we get up and we change the way we act. Living out John Wesley's three simple rules would be an excellent start: to do good, to do no harm and to stay in love with God. We walked back to the car in silence, only stopping to place an offering in the box.

One of the final markers read "those of us who are people of faith in this community turned to God, found He was there and found He wasn't silent." I left that day feeling renewed, hopeful and grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with Charlie and Catherine.

I too, turned to God, found He was there and found he wasn't silent.