2004 High School Graduates - Presentation of Quilts

Before she died in 2003, long time Reformation member Dorothy Allen had a dream to make quilts for all of the high school graduates of Reformation. In her memory, the Reformation women carried out her vision, making 5 quilts for graduates Kelley Lewis, Kourtney Short, Ashley Hamstead, Karla Freeman and Emily Johnson. The quilts were presented on Pentecost Sunday. A picture of Reformation Lutheran Church is on the bottom right square of all the quilts.

During the presentation during worship, the graduates knelt and the quilts were placed on their shoulders. In part, the following moving words were said. There was not a dry eye in the house.

P: Dear Graduates in Christ, there was a day when your parents held you in their arms and rocked you to sleep. They cuddled you in a blanket to keep you warm, safe and comforted. Very soon you will be launching a new life, away from the safety and security of this home, family, church, and community. As you go out into the world, may this quilt be a reminder of your parents' love and the nurture of this Christian community. Wherever you go, when the night is cold and you feel alone, may it help you remember you are never alone.

Graduates, wherever you wander, no matter how
dark the night, may the warmth of this quilt,
the love of your parents, the fellowship of this
church, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, and the strengthening of the
Holy Spirit be with you now and forever. Parents,
we honor you for your faithfulness to your children
and for keeping the promises you made at their baptisms. May the blessing of God's Spirit
continue to nurture your families.

The Reformation Congregation Council holds an annual dinner to honor the High School graduates. After the dinner, graduates tell those gathered of their plans for summer, for the future and their memories of growing up at Reformation. It is a special time of sharing both serious and funny stories. Council members and Pastor get equal time to share memories of the seniors as they remember them through their youth activities at Reformation. Pastor John Ranney was present this year as usual, despite having had major surgery just less than a week before.

Below are the graduate families at the Senior High Graduates dinner with Pastor Ranney.