It’s that time of year, isn’t it? The start of another academic year! I’ve spoken with parents who are trying to help their soon-to-be freshman pack and plan, with seniors who are excited (and nervous) to finally be done with school, and with many campus ministers and pastors who are excitedly getting ready for student leadership training, Welcome Week and Fall programming.
As you all enter into this new season, may a small portion of this year’s College and Young Adult Commissioning written by Rev. Rachel Penmore at UKirk UTK bless you as you enter into these busy, exciting (sometimes stressful) days. (You can find the full commissioning liturgy on the pcusa.org website here.)
Go.
Do not be afraid.
Take your first steps in the footsteps of countless others
who, across lifetimes, have stepped into the unknown—
uncertain, yet willing—
into a future stretched wide before them.
With every step, the world opens, already touched by grace.
And in every step, God is with you.
Go.
Do not be afraid.
Even when you feel unsure—
when fear and excitement sit side by side—
know that all of it belongs.
Every part of you is seen and loved.
Every breath, every step—
God is with you.