alumni Farewell for Pastor Chris
April 6-7, 2019
After twenty-six years, Pastor Chris is stepping out of the role as Campus Pastor in Clemson. This has been a well planned exit - initiated by PC - to ensure that the ministry's recent success is not dependent upon one person - and would not rest solely on the shoulders of the person called as campus minister. PC is also sixty-two years old, and it is tougher than it used to be to sleep on the floor and eat pizza three nights a week!
There will be a farewell event for University Lutheran, and several "farewells" associated with the current students. In order to allow PC to fully engage with those aspects of his years of service, we are planning a farewell specifically aimed at alumni. This celebration will occur the weekend of the Spring Game, thinking many alumni would already be coming to town.
Reservations are not required - but we would like to know. Use this form, if you would - LCM-Clemson Alumni Event.
As folks reply - we will post a list of who is coming - here - so check back.
Brian & Mary (Zachary) Krohn are coming -with their two daughters!
Lindsey & Anthony Williams - and 3 kids
Emily (Todd) & James Henry
Sarah (Delap) & Brandon Bowers - 1 kid
Avery & Susan Seifert
Karen Solomons & Matt Stuemke
Allison (Alewine) Bowers - daughter
Christopher & Ellen Girardeau
Jillian Gaskins
Laura (Fisher) & Chris Altman - 2 sons
Elizabeth Nichols & Dylan Taylor
Travis Self
Hannah Guss (Creech)
Jenna Washburn
Andrew Nichols
Maggie Debaugh & Matt Cournoyer
Tracy (Ramsing) & Allen Solomons
Mark & Lura Godfrey & 2 kids
Tom & Ann DiAntonio & child
Nick & Katie Burger
Paul & Ginny Aebischer
Melinda & Wesly Konahrens & 2 sons
Derek Johnson & Emily Arnson
Jeff Potter & Son
David & Leslie Jarrett & Daughter
Sam & Elena Plonk & 2 kids
Scott Palotta
Rhonda (Boozer) & Mike Cannon
Joel & Jennifer Kohn & son
Adam Nichols & Rachel Creech
Jeff Browder
Here is a schedule of events:
Saturday - April 6
10 am - 12:30 pm "Tailgate" at the Church - Most likely in Fellowship Hall
2:30 pm - Clemson's Spring Game
5:30 pm - Drop by PC's home (201 Brook Street) for a beverage and a few more story-telling opportunities.
(Bring a beverage or two if you would.)
Sunday - April 7
8:30 am - Worship at University Lutheran - Guest preacher is Savanna Sullivan, LCM-C Alum and ELCA's Director of Young Adult Ministries
9:45 am - Reception in the Fellowship Hall - Savanna and PC will bombard you regarding the Church's work with young adults
11:00 am - Worship at University Lutheran - Guest preacher is Savanna Sullivan
A few more details - and offerings:
Housing - there are a number of UniLu members eager to host you for the weekend. We will honor as many requests as we can. Requests must be made by March 15, to allow time for parings. Send an email to [email protected]. We need to know how many in your party, and whether any are children.
Food - the tailgate will be provided. We are thinking biscuits, BBQ, Chips and Dip. Tea and coke and water will be provided. You are welcome to bring your adult beverage with you. If you have a favorite tailgate food, bring that as well. For the "after game gathering," PC will have cokes and water and tea and some chips and whatever was left from the morning. If you will need something to eat around that time, bring it with you. You can also contribute to the "adult beverage" barrel - we will have ice to keep it cold.
Photos and Movies - during both events on Saturday, we will have a camera and a video camera. We want to capture pictures of you and your family with PC. The video camera will allow you to record a short greeting to leave with PC. If you can't come in April, send those photos and movies. Your smart phone camera is fine. Send those to [email protected].
Alumni Choir - We don't currently have a student praise band, but we have in the past. One will be created for worship on April 7. The song will be simple and accessible. Alumni who might want to join the group doing the singing should send a note to Candace Balentine.
Parking - We will be blocking off both of the church lots for alumni. You can ignore the "Parking Reserved - You Will be Towed" signs, they are to keep the place open for you. We would ask that you put a label in your windshield, with your name. Not sure we will tow folks without such a sign, but we might.
Savanna Sullivan - After finishing at Clemson, Savanna spent a year in Rwanda, through the Young Adults in Global Mission program. She then worked as a recruiter for YAGM, before accepting a position with the ELCA as Director for AIDS Education. In 2018 she was named as the ELCA's Director for Young Adult Ministry. This visit is appropriate for our Alumni weekend. She is also the spring offering in our "Visiting Theologian" project, which is one part of our Vocational Discernment Program.
Keeping in touch:
It hasn't been fully decided what we will do with email addresses when PC steps aside. We know that his Clemson User ID will expire. He may keep the "g." email - [email protected]. He has started another address - [email protected]. His home mailing address might also be helpful - 201 Brook Street, Clemson, SC, 29631.
What's next?
I really don't know. There is enough in my retirement accounts that I could retire, but I am not completely ready for that. Most likely, I will pick up a part-time call or something which interests me. We are planning to remain in Clemson. After a few years of doing something else, I do want to be here where I can attend all those guest lectures I don't seem to have time for now. This will also allow me to be visited, in my old age, by those of you who come back to town for a game or moving your child into CU housing. I have been blessed - deeply - by all of you. Above all else, what is next is making sure the next campus pastor has every ounce of support as they carry on the ministry we have started together on this campus and in this community.
Pastor Chris