Monday Reflections: At Year’s End

As we say goodbye to students (and some staff and faculty), we commend them to God and trust that the work God began in them while under your care will be perfected as they put into practice what they learned. (Photo by Emmanuel Offei)

The end of the semester always comes with a bittersweet taste. We say farewell to students who have been part of the campus community during the early years of adulthood. These students were formed on our campuses. They will carry the values of your institution for the rest of their lives.

In the next few weeks, commencement ceremonies will remind us of the work behind us, yet we know there is so much more ahead. With this in mind, I wanted to share with you a version of a prayer I shared with chaplains. As we say goodbye to students (and some staff and faculty), we commend them to God and trust that the work God began in them while under your care will be perfected as they put into practice what they learned.

God, we know you by many names.
This year, we have called you Counselor, Joy Giver,
Divine Light, Strength,
Savior, and Friend.

This year, we have been inspired by our students’ work.
We have walked with them in the highs of their accomplishments.
And in the lows of their struggles.
We are honored that you have entrusted them to our care, even for this time.

The year now ends, and some of them will leave.
We will say goodbye to them as we love them,
For they have become part of our community.
We pray they will see you in their lives as they journey on.

We pray for us, for the grind we have lived this year.
We have also experienced loss.
At times, we felt we were carrying the weight of the world.

Divine Counselor, Joy Giver, Divine Light,
Strength, Savior, and Friend.
Thank you because you have been with us, 
And will continue to be in the sabbath that is ahead.
We pray to you for our colleagues at every school, college, and university,
May they experience rest this summer.
May we all trust your hand in what comes next.

In your name, we pray. Amen.

Rev. Eduardo Bousson
Senior Manager, Collegiate Ministries
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
The United Methodist Church