Socially Isolated but Spiritually Connected
Held In The Light

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, Rockford — Glowing For Grads

Dear Mayfield,
Between Monday May 11 and Thursday, June 11, on multiple nights each week, the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is honoring area high school and college graduates.  Night after night from dusk until dawn the next morning, this beautiful glass structure is lit with the color or colors of one or more schools. This week on Monday the conservatory glowed blue in recognition of the graduates of Rockford Christian High School and Cathedral Baptist. This creative response in the absence of traditional graduation festivities during the Covid-19 pandemic allows the city to artistically and publicly acknowledge particular graduates on different nights and to provide a unique opportunity for pictures.  It is one practice I hope will continue for years to come.

Light is a beautiful symbol for graduation. Our word education has roots in words meaning “to draw out.” Ideally, our educational experiences not only teach us necessary information and help us to strengthen academic and vocational tools for our futures, but also cultivate the light, what Quakers call the divine spark, within each of us. That light represents the gifts and the wisdom we carry within. When we are young, old, and in between, we are continually discovering the nature of our gifts and wisdom, and how we might share them for our fullness of life and extend them in service to wider life around us.

We could each modestly imitate the graduation glow of the Nicholas Conservatory in the next few weeks. Consider lighting a candle or several candles at home on repeated nights for graduates in your circle of family, friends, and neighbors, for graduates of schools in your community, for graduates of the educational institutions where you went to school, or for graduates of a school where you work or have worked.  I am aware of at least three people associated with Mayfield who are making important educational transitions in 2020. Jarik Scott is on his way to high school without benefit of the normal promotion celebratory activities that happen in the Genoa-Kingston school system. Zoe Markle, Sophia and Jen’s daughter, will soon graduate from Lawrence University with a bachelor’s degree in music performance. And Carmelo Porta, Amanda’s husband, is graduating from Walden University with a bachelor’s degree in public health.  The United States does not recognize academic credit from Nicaragua, and so over the last six years, Carmelo has redone the academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree while working full time in public health. Let us hold these three in our scattered light, celebrating what they have accomplished and the light they radiate from within and bear out into the world.  If you know of any additional graduates connected to Mayfield, please inform me.

At this time we would also hold in the light two other Mayfield families.  T.J. Lusher is now under hospice care. The light of our love is directed to T.J. and Sue in this new and tender time in their journey. Early last Sunday morning, Mary Hannan, Terry’s mom and Mary’s Kay’s mom-in-law, died in hospice care at Oak Crest. I have been told that she was known and loved by many. May our prayers offer T.J., Sue, Terry, Mary Kay, and other members of their families support and care in this season.

I have received one other request via Diana for a light-filled beam of our corporate prayer. There has been recent major flooding in Kenya during this time of pandemic.  JAMS is not flooded but the homes of many teachers and students are. Remember that we are able to provide an illuminating presence near and far, even as far as Kenya.

Thank you for your prayerful attention, the reassuring warmth of our love sent forth, and the candles you will light for graduates and others named in this web note.
Peace, Martha