Graduation ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies

 A guest post by SICA Membership Secretary, Gillian Robertson

One of my most favourite aspects of my training with OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation was the opportunity to write ceremonies, and this helped me to realise why one of my most favourite aspects of being Headteacher of a Special School was leading School Assemblies. 

When you invoke the sacred power of ceremony, you tap into one of the oldest and most effective tools for transforming both yourself and the world (Sandra Ingerman).

At the time, I didn’t think about assemblies as ceremonies, but now, I realise that they were … they gave us all time to pause, to change the pace, to join in community, to share together, and, importantly, the chance to celebrate successes and achievements, big and small.

Beginning my work as an Interfaith Celebrant in 2020, I became aware that, due to Covid restrictions, many young people were denied the opportunity to celebrate significant life events such as leaving Primary or Secondary School or graduating from College or University, and so, I created ‘Graduation Celebrations’.

These were not intended to replace Prizegivings or large scale Graduation Ceremonies, but were designed to be intimate celebrations, attended by a small number of family and friends, and, at that time, were held in my garden.

On one occasion, this was planned as a complete surprise for the Graduate, others very much involved the Graduate in creating the script, choosing words and music that were meaningful to them, deciding how much of their story they wanted to share, and whether or not they wanted to speak themselves.

Either way, a ‘Graduation Celebration’ allows the Graduate to share the significant parts of their journey, and to thank their close family and friends for their love and support. They have the chance to share their pride and sense of achievement with the people who matter most to them, and who know just how much their achievement means.

Family and friends are invited to share words of praise and admiration, to choose readings/poetry etc. and, if they so wish, to present their Graduate with a gift. 

After the ceremony, everyone can stay and celebrate together, taking photographs, sharing special time together, away from busy lives, time to pause and just to focus on the joy and pride of unique achievement.

I was delighted and honoured to create and deliver ‘Graduation Celebrations’: as with the creation of other services and ceremonies, there is such reward in walking with Graduates and their families and friends, coming to know their story, leading a Ceremony which pays tribute to their journey and which celebrates their success, marking a ‘threshold moment’ before they take their next brave step.

And, while Covid restrictions led to the creation of ‘Graduation Celebrations’, I believe there is still a place for them, and that they can complement the larger scale Graduations, from School, College or University. They provide all the elements of ‘Ceremony’, created for an individual Graduate, where they, alone, are at the heart of the Ceremony.

Open the gifts of love and friendship,
Accept the invitations of opportunity and adventure.
Follow the paths that unfold in front of you,
Choose your directions,
Listen to advice.
Live fully and safely.
Sit quietly, dance wildly, sing loudly.
Become YOU.

 Gillian Robertson, December 2023