EPUMC-Weekly Memo for May 28, 2015
(from Andrew Hagen, Director of Youth Ministries)
Nearly 20 years ago, Mary Schmich wrote a piece for the Chicago Tribune addressed to the Class of ’97 and titled “Advice, like youth, is probably just wasted on the young.” While I don’t believe the title, the piece itself holds some nuggets of truth:
“Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.”
“Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.”
“Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.”
If you didn’t already know it, we at EPUMC have a very wise group of seniors — they probably already know all of the wisdom Schmich tries to pass along. This group often astounds me with their own nuggets of wisdom. They don’t like me to tell them what to think; they’d rather I guide them to asking questions that can, and will, spark hours of discussion if we have the time.
I can tell them my thoughts on the writings of Paul and if 12 are present, somehow we’ll end-up with 24 different opinions — it’s incredible!
Some are headed off to college, others to military service. Some aren’t going further than Minneapolis and some are going to distant parts of the country. Some, I’m sure, will spend time abroad.
So, it is with surpassing pride and pleasure that we will be taking some time in worship this Sunday to honor these soon-to-be graduates’ accomplishments and send them off into their next great adventure. It’s always a bittersweet time for me as I reflect on my high school graduation and I wonder about what great things they’ll accomplish in the next five, ten, or twenty years.
So, graduates, go with God and remember that there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.
“As your classes and grading are now complete, may you strive toward excellence in all you do.” — Rev. Jay Moyers
Blessings,
Andrew
* You can read Schmich’s piece at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich-sunscreen-column-column.html or watch Baz Luhrmann’s rendition on YouTube at https://youtu.be/sTJ7AzBIJoI.
(from Andrew Hagen, Director of Youth Ministries)
Nearly 20 years ago, Mary Schmich wrote a piece for the Chicago Tribune addressed to the Class of ’97 and titled “Advice, like youth, is probably just wasted on the young.” While I don’t believe the title, the piece itself holds some nuggets of truth:
“Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.”
“Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.”
“Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.”
If you didn’t already know it, we at EPUMC have a very wise group of seniors — they probably already know all of the wisdom Schmich tries to pass along. This group often astounds me with their own nuggets of wisdom. They don’t like me to tell them what to think; they’d rather I guide them to asking questions that can, and will, spark hours of discussion if we have the time.
I can tell them my thoughts on the writings of Paul and if 12 are present, somehow we’ll end-up with 24 different opinions — it’s incredible!
Some are headed off to college, others to military service. Some aren’t going further than Minneapolis and some are going to distant parts of the country. Some, I’m sure, will spend time abroad.
So, it is with surpassing pride and pleasure that we will be taking some time in worship this Sunday to honor these soon-to-be graduates’ accomplishments and send them off into their next great adventure. It’s always a bittersweet time for me as I reflect on my high school graduation and I wonder about what great things they’ll accomplish in the next five, ten, or twenty years.
So, graduates, go with God and remember that there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.
“As your classes and grading are now complete, may you strive toward excellence in all you do.” — Rev. Jay Moyers
Blessings,
Andrew
* You can read Schmich’s piece at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich-sunscreen-column-column.html or watch Baz Luhrmann’s rendition on YouTube at https://youtu.be/sTJ7AzBIJoI.
RSS Feed
