Baccalaureate: The final post

If you have been following my blog, you know that for the past 12 years, I have chaired the Baccalaureate Committee. This year, in December, I was called to meeting with 2 pastors, a youth pastor and several others who had issues with me. I didn't know the agenda of the meeting: I just knew that everyone who had issues with me were going to be together in one room – against me.

The bottom line was that they wanted Baccalaureate. They never talked to me or asked me any questions. I was discussed, but I was never included the discussions: they were all behind my back. I think that is called gossip.

Baccalaureate is this Sunday. There are no signs at the schools. There have been no announcements, nothing on the marquees. There are 61 likes on the facebook page for both schools. (Last year at this time, we had 69 for PHS and 44 for DHS.)

Over my 12 years as Baccalaureate chairperson, I had scores of files. Lots of data. For instance, I know which church was the largest donor to Baccalaureate and I know their pastor was not invited to the meeting, did not approve of the decision or how it was handled. But of course, this pastor participated in Baccalaureate: His church gave. He had a committee member. His church prayed for Baccalaureate. His church hosted a table every year.

I know that the pastors who led in this decision: Their churches ranked 6^th and 19^th (out of 22) in Baccalaureate giving. I know that 6^th was only 6^th because of a large gift last year: that single gift moved them from 12^th to 6^th and more than doubled their previous Baccalaureate giving. Neither church had been part of the Baccalaureate committee. 19 had never even hosted a table. And, of course, the #1 donor to Baccalaureate wasn't even invited to the meeting.

For 12 years, Baccalaureate was my baby – I treasured it, protected it, promoted, nurtured it and kept it alive and going forward. When it was threaten, I responded. When people talked about canceling it, I promoted it. I thought it was the most under used way to impact a graduating class. My children joke: My first word was Baccalaureate – what was yours? We lived Baccalaureate at my house.

Baccalaureate is Sunday. I have been advised not to go. The thought is that I have been in charge and responsible for so many years that people will still think I am responsible.

It is always difficult to be fired. It is more difficult when you did an excellent job and worked for free. Unless something happens, this will probably be my last post on Baccalaureate. I will focus on my healing.