Here’s to the 2020 grads — they’ve shown us how creative, talented and smart they are
On this day at my church, we would be having an elaborate Grad Day program, complete with good music and the awarding of scholarships and gifts to all our graduates — from kindergarten to college.
COVID-19 caused us to have a change of plans. We are not meeting as a congregation at The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness) in Liberty City and therefore, no Grad Day worship service honoring our graduates.
Still, I am amazed at how well the 2020 graduates have handled the situation. Maybe some have whined that they have missed all the events surrounding their last days in high school or college. But I, for one, have not heard any complaints from any of the graduates.
So, to the Class of 2020, I just want to send warm congratulations and well wishes your way. I wish things could have been different for your special time. I wish I could have joined your family and friends at a graduation ceremony, as they beamed with pride watching you walk across the stage accepting your diploma and/or degree. But I am there with you as you enjoy your drive-by and viral celebrations.
Graduates, I wish we could have given you a better world. I wish there was peace and unity in abundance. And I wish the world was free of pestilences and pandemics.
Yet, I have confidence in knowing the pandemic has made you stronger. This has been evident in the fact that many of our nurses and doctors have gone from the classrooms to the emergency rooms. You have made us so proud, and thankful, too.
As graduates, many of you had plans to go into the armed services or start on your career right away. Those plans have been stalled.
But keep reaching for your goals. I love your faith and the hope that this pandemic has not been able to mar. I love your creativity and the way you celebrate anyway. You are amazing, 2020 graduates, and I tip my hat to you.
While I am at it, a warm Neighbors in Religion salute to Danielle Geathers, a Miami Country Day grad, who was recently named the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Association President of MIT’s student body. Danielle is the first black woman in the history of MIT to serve in this capacity.
Danielle, the daughter of Marva Wiley, a Miami attorney, will be a junior in the fall.
“I am really excited,” she told The Tech, MIT’s student newspaper.
Danielle said she and her running partner Yu Jing, “... experienced as freshmen coming onto campus and not seeing the UA as fundamental and helpful… “
She said her vision as president is for the UA to be more visible and supportive of its students, she told the newspaper.
Catholic churches to reopen
While many churches are still closed because of the pandemic, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski has given permission for parishes in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to reopen on Tuesday, May 26, for daily Masses.
Mass will also be held with congregations on Saturday, May 30, and on Sunday, May 31, which is Pentecost Day. A letter to parishioners, outlining restrictions can be found on the Archdiocesan website at www.miamiarch.org..
Happy 85th Birthday!
Belated congratulations are in order for MCCJ, formerly known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, on the organization’s 85th anniversary. The organization’s mission from the beginning has been to advance understanding and respect for all faiths, races and cultures through advocacy, education, dialogue and conflict resolution.
According to a press release, it was in 1923 that the Federal Council of Churches of Christ addressed the growing power of bigotry, racism, and inter-group prejudice exemplified by such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan.
And in 1928, the National Council of Christians and Jews was created to address the growing issues of racism and to develop programs that brought people together and encouraged positive interfaith relations. Its interfaith clergy dialogue has been the longest running in the nation.
Over the years, whenever social injustice took place, the MCCJ has stepped up to make its voices heard.