Submitted by Michelle Hieb, Northeast Region Administrative Coordinator
This past Tuesday I attended my first and quite possibly only PWOC commencement. I’ve attended many installations, but never a commencement. On 10 May 2011 the Fort Monroe chapter of Protestant Women of the Chapel held their last ever meeting. There were no degrees to be conferred, but the learning, growth, and love that had occurred within those walls was evident. From the beautifully needlepointed cushions on the chairs of the chapel, the Ruth Window, a stained glass window commemorating Army Wives, the polished silver tea services to the cheerful words of those in attendance; all held testament to the loving touch and power of the women who have graced the chapel of Fort Monroe.
Commencement is the only word that came to me as I watched the tearful moments between sisters who had spent months if not decades growing in God’s word together say farewell. Stickers were placed on a map showing how they would soon spread out through the state and the world as they moved on to the next season of life. Each speaker that came to the podium dwelled not on the sadness of the day but encouraged and challenged the members to move ahead and shine the light God had placed within each of them in the new place they would go. The body spontaneously began to sing “This Little Light of Mine” as the executive board passed the light, not to their successor, but to each woman present. The torch was passed not from one generation of selected leaders to the next, but to every member of the body. The task was complete, the training done, it was time for this body of believers to take what God had placed within them and take it out into the world; to allow His Glory to shine through them in whichever church, chapel, or PWOC they would now attend.
It was an awesome sight to watch these events unfold and I was reminded of the awesome gift we have been given in Protestant Women of the Chapel. It’s a unique organization within a unique segment of our population. Here are the women that not only serve the United States but the Most High God. It’s a community not to be taken for granted or regarded carelessly. Each AIM is a unique privilege conferred upon every woman who accepts the title of Member within this body. Our annual theme is not a casual focus for programs and song selection, but God’s truth breathed into our lives for a particular season. Each one is significant to build and grow us into a new height and depth of love and service to our King.
As you face your own commencement this season, I pray that you will take the lessons of Fort Monroe with you and allow God to shine His glory in you and through you. There may not be a ceremony or diploma or any acknowledgement by man of the task you’ve completed or challenge you’ve overcome, but God will see and may His glory shine as He greets you with a “well done good and faithful servant.
