Pine Street Church Dedication

Dan Torpy got some great shots of our Dedication Ceremony for the newly renovated Pine Street Commons on April 26.  The program opened with a SoFA teacher, Steve Uliana, singing "Simple Gifts" arr. Copland, and Larry Van Spriell named a number of special people who helped in so many ways throughout this enormous and visionary project.  Cathy Compton led a responsive reading:

Leader:  As we dedicate the newly renovated Pine Street Commons to a mission of community service and education, we reflect on God's will that we use our time, our talents, our financial gifts, and our actions to love our neighbors.  We are grateful for the people who have given all these things that we might celebrate a new center for creativity, learning and growth in Boulder.  
Response:  We thank all those who have breathed new life into this space.
Leader:  We give thanks for the builders, the architect, the design team and capital campaign committee who have invested themselves in the beauty, safety, endurance and utility of this space.
Response:  We are humbled by their artistry and expertise.
Leader:  We thank the former teachers who dedicated themselves to making this a space for learning.  Today we can close our eyes and imagine the many footprints belonging to these teachers and the students they inspired.  These impressions travel from these doors into our city, our state, and our world. 
Response:  May this building continue to help teachers and students find inspiration, wisdom, creativity, and understanding.
Leader:  We recognize the current teachers and students and give thanks for the promise they hold to create new pathways for love, laughter and joy. 
Response:  The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.  We celebrate the mysteries that lead us to explore, and the guidance we receive along the way.
Leader: We celebrate all the people who have given time, energy, and money out of generosity or sacrifice to make this dream a reality.
Response: May we all find ways to support the completion of this vision and this dream.  
All: May this building be a space for diverse people and ideas to thrive in acceptance and joy.

David and Emily L'Hommedieu performed the song "Forever Young" including the text:

May God bless and keep you always 
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others 
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars 
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young 
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy 
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation 
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful 
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young 
May you stay forever young.  


Pastor Bob Ballance, who has been the inspiration and vision behind this project, closed the program with a beautiful blessing, calling for Pine Street Commons to be a place for students to delight in learning and creativity.