An Open Invitation to Attend Baccalaureate

Each year we honor high school graduating seniors with parties, gifts, cards, and sometimes a short service of recognition in our individual churches. This is all good. But Baccalaureate is the one chance for the entire school district and for every person of faith to honor the graduates, to honor and celebrate teachers and other life-mentors, and to praise and give thanks to God. This is an open and personal invitation from me to you to attend Baccalaureate.

      It sometimes seems like many people are forever complaining that religion seems absent in the public sphere. You might hear something along these lines, “They need to put prayer back in the public schools!” But, truth be told, there is no “they” and the freedom to pray as one’s own conscience dictates has never been taken away.   

      To be sure, the baccalaureate service is not an official, school- or government-sponsored event, which is as it should be. The service is planned by clergy working directly with graduating seniors—every student is given an opportunity to be involved—and is open to all persons, regardless of their particular faith tradition. Wouldn’t it be a great irony if those most vocal about the good old days (when baccalaureate might have been “required”) would fail to show up? Of course it would. But, there you go. 

      Now, lest this sound like just another pastor whining about apathy, let me clarify my intentions:  Those of you who know me well will also know quite well that I have never been one to use a guilt-trip as a tool of motivation—not with my kids, not in my church, and not even to stifle colorful language “when the pastor shows up at coffee-time.” Guilt is not a positive motivator—not for learning, not in sports or music or losing twenty pounds, and certainly not in living a God-connected, faith-based, love-rooted, Spirit-filled life. What motivates is deep, deep gratitude. We love because God first loved us.   

      So, based on gratitude, who might attend the baccalaureate service? Well, certainly the graduates have reason to give thanks; and their family and friends too. And teachers, right? (Yes, I realize things are crazy-busy for teachers and there is too much required with too few resources, but if I was a high school teacher I’d really want to be there, if it was at all possible.) And, who else? Maybe everyone who has shared learning experiences over the last 13+ years of school and preschool; summer softball and baseball coaches; Sunday school teachers; confirmation mentors; neighbors; others… you know who you are, right? Really, when you think about it, don’t we all have reason to give thanks?  Besides, how many times do you get to see “BACCALAUREATE” spelled correctly?