Originally published August 24, 2015
I had to look that word up on dictionary.com. Seriously. I went to the University of South Carolina. We just registered for classes in the Elephant Room. Try to find that on a university campus. At the University of the South, students sign their name in a book that contains the names of all students who have ever attended. At USC, we found our social security number on a dot-matrix printout of class schedules and tried to match it to our schedule. But one really cannot compare this to an undergrad experience at a state school. Don't get me wrong, being a student at USC had its great moments, but it was nothing like beginning work on a degree that would lead one into a life of service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No pressure, guys.
Left, Michael's class in front of All Saints Chapel. The little kids aren't students...yet.
But that's just how the Dean made them feel; as if there's no pressure. "Nothing is as important but to know that I have passed this way in fellowship with Jesus," he told them. What he meant was, as long as you're on this walk with Jesus, it's all gonna be ok. Where have I heard that before? He compared the new seminarians to Bartholomew, the least known of the 12 disciples. Not much is written about Bartholomew, but that doesn't matter, he said. He was one of the 12, which makes his life - even though we know little about it - just as valiant as those of the 12 of whom we know much. "His name was recorded in a book, and he lived his life each day in fellowship with Jesus," the dean said. His point was that some seminarians will do great things - become bishops, scholars, peacemakers. But most will live their lives in relative obscurity - like Bartholomew - but they will live it in service to Jesus, and their name will be recorded in a book. Not exactly the Bible, but a pretty old register in which the Rev. A.C. Cannon, Jr. (Charlie, if you don't know), and the Rev. A.C. Cannon, III (Charles) have also signed their names. And now, Michael D.W. Cannon has signed it as well!
That's Michael, right, signing the book. I know you can't see it. It's a really big chapel.
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