Congratulations, Class of 2020!
What a unique Commencement for the Class of 2020! In my opinion, graduates for 2020 will likely retain a label, identifying them for years to come. Sacrifice. Disappointment. "Option B." "Option A" was not possible amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Class of 2020, our amazing "Pandemic Graduates."
Though disappointing, there were likely unique revelations of human compassion, human nature, and general kindness that will be forever a part of graduates' lives, in addition to this global health crisis that made such revelations possible. I hope the Class of 2020 will remember that though the final concerts, banquets, parties, celebrations, trips, and gatherings were unable to happen, many people did their level best to make the day special for them. Creativity beyond comprehension found its way to Zoom, HUGE celebration yard signs, drive-by graduation (and retirement) parties, commencement speakers such as a former president, a former vice-president, professional athletes, music, movie and television stars, and other prominent humanitarians and business people...all seeking to do whatever they could to make Commencement 2020 memorable for graduates, most of whom they had never met. The most amazing part was that members of the Class of 2020 made it happen themselves. Leadership at its finest!! It was memorable for me, too! I didn't miss anything! You were that important to me personally. You handled a horrible period in your history with grace and yes....."class." I was amazed, and watched all of the commencement celebrations on television and online. We will never be able to "make it up to you," but please know that prayers for your success will always be in our hearts and minds. You can handle anything in life.
Greg Funderburk is a pastoral care minister, lawyer, and writer at South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Greg's poetic prayer style led to an SATB setting of his words in Prayer for the Graduate. His unique descriptions of visual and aural elements of traditional Commencement exercises combined with melody to celebrate "a sonic blend of beginnings and endings.....a blend of music, prayer, and praise, and applause." He also caused us to respectfully admit the "bittersweet" content for this time in our graduates' lives. When his words paired themselves with a cello obligato, the somber, bittersweet ceremony of 2020 came to life in our minds.
However, Greg did not leave the graduate to despair in the lack of all that "was not." His words encouraged all to "Rise. Let us be going. Let us commence in Your holy word on the road ahead. Let us rise to new life, to pray, give, and love, in this our ending, our beginning." In other words, "It is what it is. I don't like it. You don't like it. But...that's the way it is, so....let's move on!" One last prayer voiced for each 2020 graduate in the uncertain days ahead: "Quell our fears, soothe our worry, God of grace."
In these days when we really do not know if we will be back in large church choirs ensembles soon, Earlene Rentz Online Publications is happy to accommodate reasonable possibilities during these difficult days. In addition to the choral octavos purchased, all of our sacred publications now include complimentary High/Medium/Low Solo Voice publications. Save the choral file for the great and glorious day when a choir will once again be present in your churches to lead in worship. Until then, a soloist might be able to share Greg's wonderful words.
Commencement and graduation will continue to take place in our educational systems. It is important to remember that in 2020, we did commencement a bit differently, but with more creativity, compassion and gentle kindness than has ever attended our hearts during long speeches and mortar board tosses. Class of 2020, we salute you with respect, love, admiration, and hope for a beautiful future, filled with many days of glorious "Commencement." Congratulations!
Greg Funderburk
Greg Funderburk is a pastoral care minister, lawyer, and writer at South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Greg's poetic prayer style led to an SATB setting of his words in Prayer for the Graduate. His unique descriptions of visual and aural elements of traditional Commencement exercises combined with melody to celebrate "a sonic blend of beginnings and endings.....a blend of music, prayer, and praise, and applause." He also caused us to respectfully admit the "bittersweet" content for this time in our graduates' lives. When his words paired themselves with a cello obligato, the somber, bittersweet ceremony of 2020 came to life in our minds.
However, Greg did not leave the graduate to despair in the lack of all that "was not." His words encouraged all to "Rise. Let us be going. Let us commence in Your holy word on the road ahead. Let us rise to new life, to pray, give, and love, in this our ending, our beginning." In other words, "It is what it is. I don't like it. You don't like it. But...that's the way it is, so....let's move on!" One last prayer voiced for each 2020 graduate in the uncertain days ahead: "Quell our fears, soothe our worry, God of grace."
In these days when we really do not know if we will be back in large church choirs ensembles soon, Earlene Rentz Online Publications is happy to accommodate reasonable possibilities during these difficult days. In addition to the choral octavos purchased, all of our sacred publications now include complimentary High/Medium/Low Solo Voice publications. Save the choral file for the great and glorious day when a choir will once again be present in your churches to lead in worship. Until then, a soloist might be able to share Greg's wonderful words.
Commencement and graduation will continue to take place in our educational systems. It is important to remember that in 2020, we did commencement a bit differently, but with more creativity, compassion and gentle kindness than has ever attended our hearts during long speeches and mortar board tosses. Class of 2020, we salute you with respect, love, admiration, and hope for a beautiful future, filled with many days of glorious "Commencement." Congratulations!