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Commencement 2012
Cameron Tillinghast, Brandon Matson, Blake Emery, lucas Fernandez,
aaron DiGenova, and Zach alleva all played lWYSa youth soccer on the
“Ravens” while in lower School.
Grandest Story of the Greatest Sacrifice, so we should expect to
be drawn to the lesser stories and fairy tales. We were created to
do so. And the beautiful thing is the Greatest Fairy Tale is actually
true.
So fairy tales form the setting to offer you a simple and direct
challenge:
Graduates of 2012, you have performed admirably, scored
well on your tests, played, sung, danced, kicked, written, painted,
and served well. You have met and exceeded our expectations in
so many areas and in so many ways.
And now you begin . . . again. You commence the next
chapter in the tale of your life, and it is our greatest prayer
that you will compose a heroic tale—a tale that embodies “. . .
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable . . .”
(Philippians 4:8). A tale that resounds for generations. A tale of
wisdom, compassion, and courage that brings truth, beauty, and
goodness to the communities in which you live.
As you have heard here today, we implore you to be heroic,
live courageously, be the 1%, and make a difference in the world
as you compose your fairy tale.
And always remember, “Fairy tales are more than true:
not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they
tell us that dragons can be beaten” (usually attributed to G.K.
Chesterton).
My challenge to you, graduates, is to love the Lord and to live
heroically. Congratulations and farewell for now, Class of 2012.
Now go slay a few dragons!
Kristin Wallis hugs her classmates following Bear Creek’s 12th
Commencement Exercises.
Commencement address
By Rev. Earl F. Palmer
Rev. Palmer shared with the Class of 2012 biblical insight into the
definition of courage and what it means for them as they move
through life. Excerpts of his speech are included here.
What comes into your mind when you think of the word
“courage?” In the New Testament there are four words
that stand out. Some definitions will not surprise you:
the first is risk or dare; the second is presence; and the third is
steadfastness.
But the fourth courage word may indeed take us by surprise.
It is the word our Lord uses in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the
meek.” What does he mean by meekness and what does it have to
do with courage? The word in classical Greek is sometimes used to
refer to an animal like a horse that is calm and therefore trainable
or teachable. Jesus uses it in this way as a guidance word for his
disciples. Meek does not mean weak. It means teachable and in
fact the trainable man or horse is faster and even more powerful
than the unteachable one. This is because when we are teachable
we learn how to ski, how to run, how to do surgery in a skillful
and disciplined way, and therefore that meekness that is willing
to learn is better able to dare the jump that a skier dreams about
doing, or to run the full distance of the marathon, or to actually
participate as a physician or nurse in a seven-hour emergency
brain operation.
What I was willing to humbly learn has now equipped me
for risk and presence and endurance. This is Jesus’ point in that
beatitude—“You are on the right road (which is the Hebrew
meaning of blessed, ashre) when you are meek (teachable).” Each
of the nine Beatitudes has a second sentence that is a promise
added by our Lord the Teacher. For meekness Jesus adds a very
exciting promise. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth.” What a promise. Not the arrogant nor the selfish nor the
lazy nor the adrift ones, but the teachable ones who are willing to
learn and therefore focus on the Truth that sets us free. These are
the ones who hear the promise.
These are thoughts on courage—but you deserve a definition
of happiness too. Happiness happens when you take good risks
that deserve the risking. Happiness happens when your yes is yes
and your no is no. Happiness happens when you stay around and
hang in there with your friends and family just because you want
to so that they can find you and you can find them. And happiness
is always enriched by learning, especially when we stay teachable
and eager to learn.
earl Palmer has served as a minister for over 50 years at numerous
churches, including the university Presbyterian Church in seattle and most
recently as Preaching Pastor-in-residence at the national Presbyterian
Church in Washington, d.C. He holds degrees from the university of
California Berkeley and Princeton theological seminary. Palmer has served
on the board of trustees at Princeton theological seminary since 1973 and
also the board of trustees of new College Berkeley in California. Palmer
currently carries on his ministry under the sponsorship of earl Palmer
Ministries, which serves to encourage and build up pastors and laity
through its ministry of teaching, writing, and mentoring. earl is also author
of numerous articles and books, his most recent title Trusting God. earl and
shirley, married for 53 years, make their home in seattle, WA and have 3
children and 8 grandchildren.
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