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,

I would graduate at the end of my third year, without knowing for sure what was next. In the fall of 2003, I found myself in  the first of three Seminaries that I would attend. My experiences there were valuable, but it was not the place for me. I planned to finish out the year and transfer elsewhere. However do to various leadings and encounters the day after World Conference 2004 ended I would make the decision to withdraw. In the Fall of 2004 I found myself in Seattle Washington attending the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University. it was an amazing lace, and I loved it and had all intents on finishing my degree there. It was there that I would come to appreciate and develop a strong interest in Liturgical Theology, inspired in part by my advisor who’s area was within this field. It was here I would acknowledge various health issues, leading to a rest from my studies for almost a year and a half. At the end of which I had all intentions of returning. Including having my schedule planed out till degree completion. Then within a week of doing so found myself called to move to Ohio and go to the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. A school where I would encounter many wonderful people, have new and different experiences, and eventually get to that day of completion, though taking much longer than planed. Adding and then removing a second degree as part of the process. For the past 20 weeks I have served as a chaplain at the Cleveland Clinic, I write these words as I finish the final hours of that experience.

Today the board of trusties will confer degrees to the graduating class of 2009. This afternoon I have commencement practice, this evening baccalaureate, and tomorrow I will walk in academic regalia celebrating in ceremonial form the completion of this part of the journey and passage to… well whatever is next. Tomorrow I will receive an expensive piece of paper that may take the rest of my life to pay for. A piece of paper that reflect 6 years of life experiences, many wonderful people, reflection, discovery of self, deeper relationship with the Holy and with other, and preparation for that which is to come.

The future is filled with unknown and uncertainties, but also much excitement, joy, and possibility.  I wait to hear of job possibilities. I ponder further education (exploring some this morn). Reflect on ways of sustaining myself while doing that ministry to which I am called to. I just hope I have faith to trust myself, to embrace and share my gifts, talents, and go forth with other in community to help form the blessed and long dreamed for, and to which we are called. Peaceful community we in Community of Christ call Zion, that is, was, and is yet to be. Dreaming of the day when diversity is truly honored and celebrated and we live in true, difficult,  and loving peace, where the worth of all is truly recognized and embraced by all and the earth and all of creation is cared for.

I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

May we live the Peace of the Living Christ,

As I sat later in structured conversation, reflecting and growing in understanding amongst the things that came out was now as time drew to a close of us being together I was finally allowing my shell to crack, the light starting to come forth. So much of who I am that just never came up in all our time together, so much of who I am, of my gifts and talents, which I have been hesitant to share not just there but anywhere. A fact I have long been aware of, and which others have pointed out many times. Be it the classmate a year and a half ago who said every time she saw me, be it in the bookstore or… came to mind the hiding a light under a bushel, or my mother recently in phone conversation, or those within this community of chaplains who I have served with for a while now.

I have at times been hesitant to embrace, perhaps even more than hesitant, my calling due in part to that hiding of who I am. Why I hide, I am still working out, I have some ideas, but not full understanding. However I am starting to crack open, to allow that light of the Holy to shine out through me, and make the commitment now to continue to allow that light to break forth, to step out into the unknown and trust the Holy, to trust other, and perhaps most importantly right now to trust myself. To trust that the Holy would not call me, would not gift me with the gifts and talents that I have been gifted with unless I truly could use them, embrace them, to uplift the worth of all, the Peace of Christ, Comfort and hope of the Spirit, and love and grace of the Eternal Loving One as part of those seeking to form the peaceable community, aye even Zion.

Will you journey with me? Will you help me discover “who is Lyle” “who are you” and “who is Community of Christ”? as we seek to live as disciples of the Living Christ, resurrected, restored, and empowered to heal a world in need?

Peace be with you,

My grandfather entered the United States Marine Corps prior to the entry of the US into WWII. He would serve in the pacific theatre as part of the 3rd division I believe. And his time of service involved several close encounters, if things had taken place a bit later, another wave had been sent… I may never have known him and not be known as Lyle, but that was not the case. In ways he was lucky, though I think the weight of losing men that he as Cpl Anderson was to be with but was not due to accidental injury I’m sure weighed upon him. My Father entered the United States Marines during Viet Nam and served active duty for a brief time with I think the third air wing, at least for part of the time, in a reserve status for longer. My uncle served in the Army for some time. Various family members, friends, and others in my life have served I have great respect for them all and am grateful for all their willingness to serve in this way, and yet I wish there had never been a need. I wish there wasn’t a need,  I wish we were in a place where we, humanity as a whole, could settle our differences without need for violent armed conflict, or even the “threat” of it. I would love to see the day when the people and other resources that are today devoted to the militaries of the world could be utilized as armies of people and equipment to alleviate poverty, aid in the recovery from disasters… They are today used at times for these uses, but its not their primary reason for being, but what if it was and the need for defense was gone? How much good could be done? How to we get to that point? How can we get the governments of the world to work together for the good of all, to break down prejudices, fears, etc so that that could become a reality world over?

My undergrad was in part paid for by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, for three years I had the honor of receiving the Chaplain Vincent Capodanno Memorial Scholarship… Named after a Navy chaplain serving with the Marines, and giving his life on the battlefield to provide care to those in need. Perhaps fitting for one who discovered early in  that education realized the need to further his theological and ministerial education, and seeks to work in the field of ministry as well.

My grandmother was a nurse, my mom serving in the medical field in a few different ways, my dad was a paramedic, my sister is a nurse. Then there is me, doing an internship as a chaplain in a hospital, providing care to people and planning a future serving in ministry caring for people, though in a different way than them.

Interesting the ways things seem to connect, and intertwined. I hope that I will continue to grow in understanding who nI am, what has formed me, and finding ways to embrace my calling, and the calling of my faith community expressed in part as to be “a healing and redeeming agent… inspired by the life and witness of the Redeemer of the world,” to become a people “who see violence but proclaim peace, who feel conflict yet extended the hand of reconciliation, who encounter broken spirits and find pathways for healing,” to restore persons to “healthy or righteous relationships with God, others, themselves, and the earth”, to “create pathways of in the world for peace in Christ to be relationally and culturally incarnate,” and “above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on Earth,” courageously challenging “cultural, political, and  religious trends that that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God.” (from Doctrine and Covenants Sections 156, 161, and 163")

Well not what I planed to write, and very limited in expressing even what I felt needed to write after the focus changed, but it is a start maybe thoughts of research and development, spending and more will come in the future…. Either way hopefully Chris will manage my 3.5 cents wisely …

Peace,

Lyle II