Date: May 11, 2022
Tonight is the Service for the Mission of the Church. The goal of Commencement is to send people out to make a difference in this world for God’s Church. Therefore Commencement is always a two-part process: this service tonight is the start; the graduation ceremony tomorrow is the second half.
These rituals of sending out are vitally important. Human lives have been formed. Congregations (and other ministry settings) are waiting. In the service tonight, we linger, we pause, and we pray. God has been at work; the world awaits.
I am grateful for all those who work so hard over these concluding days of the semester. On Friday, I will provide the full list; but for now, please let me name Ms. Elly Hahn. She has lived with the details of Commencement for months now. I am grateful. Thank you, Elly.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President