Wesleyan Commencement weekend begins with Baccalaureate service

On May 20, Wesleyan faculty, seniors, families, and friends gathered for the Wesleyan Baccalaureate service at Johns Creek United Methodist Church. It was wonderful to start Commencement weekend with worship and posture our hearts towards the Lord. 
The service began with a call to worship. Jeff Foster and Ruthie Colegrove, band directors, performed “Concerto for Two Trumpets” by Antonio Vivaldi. 

Chris Cleveland, head of school, then led the faculty, seniors, families, and friends in the beloved Wesleyan tradition of reciting Psalm 24.  

Throughout the service, faculty read selections of Old Testament and New Testament scripture, and the congregation sang many beautiful hymns and songs of worship, including “Be Thou my Vision” by Eleanor Hull, “Here I am, Lord” by Daniel Schutte, and “Sanctuary” by J.W. Thompson. The Wesleyan Chamber Singers performed several songs, including “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” arranged by Raugh and Sharon, and “The Irish Blessing” by Joyce Eilers.  

Baccalaureate speaker Kendra Morris, high school English teacher and 12th grade girls chair, addressed the senior class directly, sharing about her love for working with students each day and telling of the purpose it brings her in life. 

Spending time every day digging into a novel I have read 14 times may seem boring or inconsequential to other people, but the magic of it for me comes from seeing that novel in a new way through my students’ eyes and watching as they wrestle with the grandest of life’s questions,” explained Morris.  

Morris described how working with the class of 2022 reminded her to listen deeply, act thoughtfully, and resist hardening her heart and perspective.  

She went on to say, “I do not just love teenagers; I respect your love for the question “why,” your loyalty to your friends and your own beliefs, your desire to buck the status quo when it just might need bucking, and your need to live out loud in a way that adults have sometimes muted.” 

Morris concluded her speech preparing the senior class for what to expect over the next four years as they embark on their collegiate adventures. She described how finding a life-calling and soul-enriching purpose is harder than "getting rich and owning lots of stuff,” and that this challenge is worth it. Morris' prayer and hope for the Wesleyan graduating class is for more than fame or success, but for a well-balanced life and a passionate calling through which they will honor the Lord.  

Thank you, seniors, families, and friends, for attending this year’s Baccalaureate service, and thank you faculty for making the night so special.  
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