Blessings Abound: Baccalaureate Celebration
Congratulations, class of 2025!
During the 10 AM service on Holy Trinity Sunday, the St. Matthew's community celebrated the graduating class of 2025 with a special blessing, the gifting of hand-crafted prayer shawls, and a celebratory reception that included many pieces of delicious cake, cookies, and brownies!
The photo above includes the graduates that celebrated in-person during the celebration service. David, Ava, Chimene, and Mark marked their educational milestones during the laying on of hands as each person was blessed in their heart, mind, and spirit as they prepare to take the next steps in their educational and vocational journeys.
As they look forward, David will attend the University of Washington - Seattle to pursue a degree in political science and international studies. Ava will attend Seattle Pacific University on either a biology or physiology track. Chimene has completed a certification program to teach Career and Technical education and looks forward to continuing to teach when school resumes this fall. Mark graduated college with a degree in secondary education - social studies broadfield and is excitedly entering the application process to teach in the near future.
In addition to the graduates that celebrated in-person, community members Kieren and Andy also celebrated educational milestones. Kieren graduated high school and looks forward to taking a gap year to explore possibilities for the future. Andy graduated from Western Washington University with a History Master of Arts and is pursuing a teaching position this fall.
Blessings abound and the future looks bright as these amazing people from all walks of life begin to make their mark on the world. The community wishes these individuals and all graduates within the life of the community the best and looks forward to supporting them as they continue to experience changes and success.
May they live out the words shared during the sending blessing, the "Prayer of Good Courage."
O God, you have called your servants to ventures
of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage,
not knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is leading us
and your love supporting us;
through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
