Monday, October 5, 2009

Ron Kendzierski

Entering what will be my last year at United, I've spent no small amount of

time reflecting on the many ways in which I have been formed here. To be

sure, those who have entered my life through this experience have forever

changed the way I look at the world, and I am hopeful that all of our

experiences here will make us good stewards of those under our care.

One of the events which will forever remain branded on my forehead is that

first student-led chapel service in which I said what I thought to be on the

minds of many. "Well, here we are," I had said, "about to take a dive into

a pool when we don't even know if there's any water." Over these past three

years, I've found this to be true many times, and as this year speeds along

toward graduation, I suspect I'll feel this way again. Only something huge

has changed. Something truly monumental. Indeed, though all of us came

from different places, with differing life experiences, all of us now have

had the wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from the sharing. Blending

together as we have inside these four walls, my hope is that we can take

that broadened outlook back out into the world, so as to embrace all of

those we meet, no matter how different they might seem to us. Indeed, if

God loves us all, than God loves the great diversity among our ranks, and

presumably wants us to do the same. Building the church as we've built our

community here, let us jump at the chance to do something truly wonderful,

truly magical, truly lovely!!!