Graduate Recognition Sunday

2007 Graduates: Patrick Lyon, Keith Pearson Fuhrhop, Kristin Pearson

Fuhrhop, Matt Petering, Jessica Powell, Tiffany So, Isaac Williamson;

not pictured: Chuck Chambers, Matt Steiner, Diana Tarr

April 22, 2007

This morning, as we honored our graduates, we were blessed to have Kristin Pearson Fuhrhop deliver the sermon. Below is the text of her homily.

Wow. I’m graduating. And what I was planning to do today is talk about what I’ve learned in my five years here at Michigan. But as I sat down to try to put on paper all of the things I’ve learned, I realized that it’s a very difficult thing to do. I think one of the greatest forms of learning is all of the subtle changes that a person goes through as they gain knowledge about the world, and how that changes their lives and who they are as a person gradually and subtly. Which is why it is really cool to have milestones like a graduation, or a significant birthday, where you can sit back and look at your life and think about the person that you were when you first came into college and compare that to the person you are now, in your cap and gown, on your way out.

As you experience life and learn about the wide world around you, your thoughts, beliefs and actions change. Sometimes for the worse, hopefully mostly for the better. Sometimes it takes a momentous occasion like graduation, or having to give a sermon, to make you realize what you’ve learned. Sometimes it can jump out at you when you least expect it. Our congregation’s ideals have helped me become a more open-minded and welcoming person, and more conscious of our need to care for the earth. This all happened gradually over the past 5 years and I couldn’t possibly pinpoint when it started.

But today I am standing before you trying to figure out what I have learned in the past five years that have made me who I am right now. Even though there are countless things that have contributed to my personal growth, as I sat down to brainstorm I found at least one huge milestone for each year that I’ve been here.

The first thing that I learned was that the world is a lot bigger than Escanaba, and even bigger than the US. I went with a group of 10 of us from Lord of Light to Honduras to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. I saw a completely different world, a different culture and a different way of life. Some aspects were devastating – the entire village lived in tarp shelters for more than three years while they waited for help rebuilding because they didn’t have the money for materials to rebuild on their own. One of the men of the village who was a talented mason was developing a brain tumor and needed CAT scans in a town miles away but never knew if he would be able to afford the next one. People dreamed of leaving to find a better life, but would never have the financial means to do so. It was easy, at first glance, to compare their way of life to my own and think my life is better. However, some aspects of this different way of life were wonderful – the people in the village cared about each other and were dependant on each other to live. They insisted that every single house be built at the exact same time so that they could all move in together… every foundation was laid first, then walls were built, and only when every house had a foundation, walls and a floor did roofing begin.

We stayed in one of the first finished houses, which had no occupants because they would not move in until every house was finished. Imagine, caring enough about your neighbor to stay in your tarp shack for another year – even though your new house was built and waiting for you—until all of your neighbors had a new roof over their heads too. Imagine your neighbors caring that much about you. It was amazing. It’s easy to think that your way of life is the best… but sometimes you can get a glimpse of something completely different and realize that it has wonderful aspects too, things that are absent from what you always thought the perfect way of life should be. That was my freshman year. I sure learned a lot.

My sophomore year I learned that I need to take more chances, to be less afraid, and to doubt myself less. One of my favorite Bible stories is when Jesus walks on water toward the disciples and Peter asks to join him. Jesus says “Come!” and Peter takes a few steps, begins to doubt what is happening, and starts to sink. He asks Jesus to save him, and He does, responding “why did you doubt?” It is easy doubt when the uncertainties and storms of life rage. But Jesus calls us to trust, even when we are unsure of the outcome.

My sophomore year I decided that I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t at least try to pole vault for Michigan. Even though I was scared and didn’t think I could do it, I went out for the track team anyway. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I had a great time and made some of my best friends through the team. I could imagine the disciples from our lesson today in the boat doubting the usefulness of throwing their net in one more time. But they gave it a shot and were richly rewarded, both with fish and the realization that their teacher is always going to be there for them. Looking back now, a lot of the greatest things in my life began as “I suppose I might as well drop the net on the other side of the boat” moments. I might as well at least try out for the track team. Maybe I’ll take this biopsychology course, why not? Eh, I guess I might as well ask Keith to go to the movie with me. Another part of today’s lesson is trusting Jesus even when you are confused by the instruction. I admit to being very hesitant at first to go to Honduras, but felt strongly like I was being asked to help. Dance Marathon was another time where I felt compelled to help but was unsure if I would be able to handle it. I ended up fundraising over a span of 7 months and then standing on my feet for 30 hours. It ended up being an amazingly rewarding experience and I was so glad that I didn’t let my doubts and uncertainties get in the way. So that was my second year in school and at Lord of Light, where I learned to doubt less and take more chances.

My Junior year in school I learned a lot more about the amazing community here at Lord of Light, a message I would love to pass on to current students. I learned how important and rewarding it was for me to get involved with Lord of Light and see what’s out there. During our interim period before we called Pastor Sue, we had a history night where I was able to learn a lot more about Lord of Light’s past and ideals, and I remember feeling so happy and proud to be a part of this family. At my first few church council and LCM board meetings, I learned that there are groups who really care about what I think. I gained more confidence in my thoughts and opinions. A few years ago I was the High School representative on our otherwise completely adult church council at my previous congregation. I was quite intimidated and really didn’t think that I knew what I was talking about enough to say anything, and I don’t think I said more than 2 or 3 sentences the entire time. Starting out on council here I still had similar reservations, but everyone made me feel very valued and listened to, and I eventually opened up and had a great experience. So if you are shying away from council or the board for such reasons, you should reconsider. Call committee was the same way – it was great to have people genuinely interested in what I had to say, and over time I learned to be less shy and reserved.

My senior year I learned a lot from my mom. Probably the most remarkable thing about my mom is her never-let-it-get-you-down attitude. Whether it is everyday struggles or serious issues, she just turns her head defiantly and says "this will not get me". I am so inspired by her attitude toward life, and I am sure others look up to her like I do as well. She went through intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment for breast cancer, and near the end of it – which was in my senior year – the Escanaba paper interviewed her for an article for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My favorite quote from the article was this: “Despite coping with sickness, pain and hair loss from treatment, [Marilyn] Pearson remained as active and optimistic as possible. ‘It’s a mental thing,’ she said. ‘You can sit down and you can feel sorry for yourself … but it doesn’t do a darn bit of good.’” The way she dealt with everything was inspiring, and helped me to focus on my blessings rather than troubles.

And this past year, my last year at U of M, I started learning about the balance between being a family and being my own person. As a couple, Keith and I have struggled with a few issues, the biggest being our last name and how to coordinate our future career plans. Both were intense conversations and difficult decisions. We each had to figure out how to do the best thing for the two of us as a couple and family while also remaining true to our own identities. It is a fine line that I am just beginning to learn about, so I probably shouldn’t give out any advice just yet, aside from always keep communicating honestly and always keep praying.

It is easy to be afraid and try to hide from life. One important thing that I have learned over time- don’t hide. Live life to the fullest. Explore a new culture or a new way of life. Take more chances and doubt yourself less. Surround yourself with uplifting people. Keep a positive attitude. Care for others, but don’t forget who you are as well. As we graduates leave U of M after our stint here, I hope all of us can keep learning and growing. Don’t be afraid to walk on water, and don’t be afraid to reach out and grab Jesus’ hand if you start sinking. Take time every now and then to evaluate what you have learned and figure out what kind of person you are becoming. Amen.