Graduation Day at Holy Comforter, Charlotte

May 24, 11:55 AMCharlotte Episcopal ExaminerAngela Boatright-Spencer

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Charlotte-May 17, 2009.   In a service dedicated to the theme, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," the congregation of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church celebrated its graduates and their parents with a brief ceremony before the Offertory. The youth took over key roles in the 10:30AM service, welcoming, serving as lectors, performing special music - and teaching the Golden Rule. 

The celebrant challenged the graduates to take on the responsibilities assumed at their baptism: "to live among God's faithful people, to hear God's Word and share in the Eucharist, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth."  To this last end, they were reminded that "with this new milestone come many new privileges and responsibilities - notably the right to vote.  As a person of faith it is your responsibility to embrace and challenge our civic laws in a way that demonstrates God's desire for the dignity of every person to be preserved."

Kate Langley, a freshman at Auburn University, preached* on the Ten Commandments (not "suggestions"), the Golden Rule, and the importance of being who you are.  "You are perfectly made by God to be who you are today," she said, looking out at the packed pews. Ms. Langley encouraged her peers to cling to the love of God, follow Christ's teachings, and emulate his love:  "He loved those who nailed him  to the cross," she said.  "Our fears for today and worries for tomorrow cannot [separate] us from this love."

The Rev. John  Shields, Holy Comforter's interim rector, blessed a new banner created by the youth team led by Elizabeth Lampe, Elizabeth Bates, Laura Watkins, Caitlin Rogich and Ellie Parker.  The banner was red, blue and yellow on a white background, and was designed in a patchwork motif, featuring appliqued hearts, figures of people, and the Episcopal flag.

In addition to Ms. Langley and Rev. Shields, participants in the service included Eliza Lynn, guitarist; Genevieve Becker and Tori Alexander, lectors; the Rev. Dr. W. Carter Lofton, deacon and Pastoral Assistant, and Laurel Bailey, Organist/Choirmaster. Lauren Cavins is the Director of Children's Ministries, and Karen Mosely-Mattox is the Youth Minister.

 *The readings for the day were: Acts 10:44-48, I John 5:1-6,  and John 15:9-17.

Want to visit? Holy Comforter is located at 2701 Park Road, in Charlotte. The Sunday Holy Eucharist is at 8:15 and 10:30 AM.  Parking is on-site as well as along nearby streets.  I found the congregation to be very warm and welcoming, and the building temperature quite cool - so bring a sweater if you are cold natured. Newcomers receive a bright red welcome bag filled with literature about the congregation and its ministries, a refrigerator magnet, a bookmark, plus a fresh, oven-ready loaf of bread. For more information, please go to holycomforter-clt. org.