In June of 2000 parts of my senior class gathered at a church for Baccalaureate. I remember the building, a few glimpses of the event, or perhaps other events that took place there. I do remember the day of Graduation a bit more.
I awoke early, perhaps in anticipation, and started my day. In the morning I would find myself at the Armory, helping with other members of the senior class council and others in getting it ready for graduation. I remember us going out and eating at Red Robin, then dealing with the bill, money flying this way and that as I tried to make change and cover the portion over five dollars each I was provided. I remember rehearsal. I remember arriving with my parents that evening. I remember walking to my seat as the band played, hearing the national anthem being sung, watching baby picture and senior pictures flash on the wall as our names were called and we walked across the stage and received a rolled piece of paper. Then afterward going to a room off to the side and getting my diploma. I remember going home and then driving the truck to school one last time, getting on a bus and going to the all night party, then in the morning being up for over 24 hours driving back home. Unlike any other graduations I knew for sure what was in the near future, what was next. I knew the youth activities I was going to participate in, I knew I was going to Graceland in the fall and a few other things. We were not arranged by name, but rather had chosen who we would walk in with (if anyone, I chose to go alone) then arranged in some order I know not. I think there were around 150 or so in our class, once I knew but now I can not recall. I know our freshman year it was a class around 190….
Just less than three years later I would once more be donning cap and gown. The Sunday before graduation the Sunday morning worship service was our Baccalaureate. We gathered in the Shaw center for worship, wearing cap and gown. I arrived early, the first or one of the first as I did almost every Sunday, serving as head deacon of Campus Ministries. That early time before everyone arrived to Sunday worship was my worship time. When I could pause, breathe, pray, play the piano as prayer, before others arrived to help set up, before worship started for everyone else. As we gathered learned the person who was to do the benediction would not be able to, and so I filled the space, went upon stage with the others participating in the service. Ambassador Menzies, president of the school gave the sermon. I remember of all the prayers said in the service all had some gendered language for the Holy, be it a pronoun, or the word Lord, or God or Father or… mine perhaps the one exception until the last few words, where I believe I said “In your son’s most holy name, Amen.” Later that day a great transformation took place and I looked much different when we gathered in the Chapel for a final worship service. At Baccalaureate I had long curly red hair, down to mid back, longer if pulled strait, having not been cut since July or June of 2000. For that closing service, my hair was much shorter, the hair bound and placed in an envelope to be sent off to locks of love the next day.
The following Sunday was graduation. Somewhere between 400-500 students I think gathered, most to receive Bachelors and some Masters. The largest graduating class as of then (I’m sure surpassed the following year). We lined up, standing with whomever we wished, arranged by degree I’m sure. As we walked across the stage handing a card with our name, which was read, and receiving an empty case. Afterwards heading from the gym to the Shaw center to pick up the actual degree to go in the case. All I knew then was I was going to be riding in the overfull car with my parents back from Iowa to Oregon, and I wanted to go to Seminary, but did not know when it would happen as I still awaited to hear from schools. That fall I entered the first of three schools, and started an adventure filled with many unexpected turns, leading to once more walking across the stage in cap and gown six years later.
The 17th I preached at Kirtland, the next two days I finished up my Clinical Pastoral Education paper work, the final day being the 20th. Sadly saying goodbye to working and learning with my wonderful CPE group and others there at the clinic. Thursday my parents arrived, and soon afterwards I was once more at the clinic, for my final night on call. Encountering a few deaths, and other calls. Spending time with patients an their families. A bit of rest, maybe a total of two or three hours, up at 3:06am for a call and never returning to bed until Friday night. After my final morning report, traveling home, so tired I kept making turns leading to a beautiful, but long drive home. As I drove the needed on the gas gage laying on empty, the “check gauges” light turning on to let me know fuel would soon be needed, but I made it home without refueling. (Had less than half a gallon in it when I refueled a few days later). I unloaded into my apartment, talked with my parents, took a shower, packed and drove down to Delaware, OH with my parents, in their car. Spent time conversing with friends who I had not seen for a while, then practicing “walking.” Then off with my parents for dinner and to find where we would be staying the night, before returning for Baccalaureate. My services not needed as an usher, I found myself sitting with my parents and engaging in the service. My name still listed to do a task that I was unable to do, not having the authority to do so.
In the morning gathering with others in the dining hall for one last time, pulling up an extra chair and place setting to a table. Hearing a professor who’s classes I always enjoyed and received much from share a message with us, along with sharing in conversation with her and my fellow graduates. The it was time to converse with others, to get our commencement attire on, and then to walk to our assigned seats, arranged by degree and then alphabetically. The president mentioned about googling the dean who gave the address and finding a picture… By the end of the service those of us in row three having seen a picture of the dean…. oh how technology has changed things. The service ended, we walked out, smiles upon our faces. I being delighted and surprised by how much the weekend and this ceremonial closure had meant to me. How the joking, and the serious aspects of those two days touched me. My smallest graduation people wise, around 50, middle in reflecting amount of life’s journey it reflected, but perhaps biggest on impact to me.
I now step forward in the unknown. I feel called to serve within Community of Christ, but I enter the world at a less than opportune time, two budget cuts transpiring while I was in seminary… the second transpiring right now and on the 15th people starting to learn if their positions still exit or not… thus job opportunities are a bit slim in my field… with the economy the greater fields also limited. Yet strangely though there is a bit of stress knowing I soon need employment to make the bills as I serve, I have a sense of peace and hope about me. I’m ready for the next adventure. I know I have worked hard, been blessed by the companionship of many, have gained much insight, and am ready for what comes next. Well as ready as I can be, especially not knowing what it is for sure. Hmm, anyone hiring? I know this young man who just graduated seminary and willing to work in various fields as long as he gets enough to keep a roof above his head, a bit of food in him, and put a bit toward his student loans… If it’s with Community of Christ, great! If not, well I’ll continue serving in self sustaing capacity, as I find the resources for that sustaing elsewhere
Peace,
— Lyle II