ALBANY - Years ago, the Albany School District discontinued the baccalaureate service.
No one knows exactly when or why but possibly "due to some pressures related to the separation of church and state or because a new administrator who wasn't familiar with the tradition, it came to an end in the late 1970s," said Steve Guenther, Albany School District administrator.
Baccalaureate means a farewell address delivered to a graduating class and has commonly been of a religious tone.
"In a small community like ours, the community and the schools are so intertwined that it is sometimes hard to see where the boundaries are," Guenther said. "It is great that once again we can involve the community more in the celebration."
Albany alumnus and school board member David Pluss suggested at a school board meeting to bring the service back.
"It was strongly supported by the board members and members of the administration," Guenther said. "I think it is fantastic because it allows our graduates more opportunity to be honored by the community."
This year Albany has 27 students graduating.
In just a few weeks, Pluss; Mello Jorgensen, who has taught business education at Albany High School for 12 years; Pat Soddy, pastor at the Albany United Methodist Church; and other staff members made plans to bring back the service to the class of 2008.
Guenther said the district allowed local clergy time to discuss the service with seniors and work together to make arrangements.
The plan for future years is to rotate locations between area churches, Guenther said.
Many area schools, including Monroe and Juda, have held baccalaureate services for years.
"Albany is a very close-knit community with deep ties in ecumenical worship," Soddy said. "It is a chance for the graduating class, along with the community, to join together for a worship service, to thank God for these youth, and celebrate their future."
The service took place Sunday.
Soddy at the Albany United Methodist Church welcomed six of the 27 seniors and their friends and family and challenged them to live a G-R-E-A-T life.
"Learn to live a life of Gratitude," said Pastor Soddy, as she encouraged them to write thank you notes and to thank God often.
"Be Reliable," she added. "There will be opportunities galore if you are reliable."
"Get excited, passionate about whatever you do," Pastor Soddy said. "Be Enthusiastic and give it all you got."
"Have a great Attitude," said Pastor Soddy. "Attitude can make or break you."
"And last, have Tenacity," she said. "Work at things with all of your heart, as for the Lord, not for man."
She also encouraged seniors to "pray your way through life."
"It (life) may not be a bed of roses, but if you choose to listen to the signs of God and use your heads," Soddy said. "You will have a G-R-E-A-T life."
No one knows exactly when or why but possibly "due to some pressures related to the separation of church and state or because a new administrator who wasn't familiar with the tradition, it came to an end in the late 1970s," said Steve Guenther, Albany School District administrator.
Baccalaureate means a farewell address delivered to a graduating class and has commonly been of a religious tone.
"In a small community like ours, the community and the schools are so intertwined that it is sometimes hard to see where the boundaries are," Guenther said. "It is great that once again we can involve the community more in the celebration."
Albany alumnus and school board member David Pluss suggested at a school board meeting to bring the service back.
"It was strongly supported by the board members and members of the administration," Guenther said. "I think it is fantastic because it allows our graduates more opportunity to be honored by the community."
This year Albany has 27 students graduating.
In just a few weeks, Pluss; Mello Jorgensen, who has taught business education at Albany High School for 12 years; Pat Soddy, pastor at the Albany United Methodist Church; and other staff members made plans to bring back the service to the class of 2008.
Guenther said the district allowed local clergy time to discuss the service with seniors and work together to make arrangements.
The plan for future years is to rotate locations between area churches, Guenther said.
Many area schools, including Monroe and Juda, have held baccalaureate services for years.
"Albany is a very close-knit community with deep ties in ecumenical worship," Soddy said. "It is a chance for the graduating class, along with the community, to join together for a worship service, to thank God for these youth, and celebrate their future."
The service took place Sunday.
Soddy at the Albany United Methodist Church welcomed six of the 27 seniors and their friends and family and challenged them to live a G-R-E-A-T life.
"Learn to live a life of Gratitude," said Pastor Soddy, as she encouraged them to write thank you notes and to thank God often.
"Be Reliable," she added. "There will be opportunities galore if you are reliable."
"Get excited, passionate about whatever you do," Pastor Soddy said. "Be Enthusiastic and give it all you got."
"Have a great Attitude," said Pastor Soddy. "Attitude can make or break you."
"And last, have Tenacity," she said. "Work at things with all of your heart, as for the Lord, not for man."
She also encouraged seniors to "pray your way through life."
"It (life) may not be a bed of roses, but if you choose to listen to the signs of God and use your heads," Soddy said. "You will have a G-R-E-A-T life."