Ascension Dinner Photos

Thanks to Alison Quick for all of the great pictures! Here are just a few…enjoy! After enjoying these below, click here for even more pictures of the evening.

Our Rites of Passage Program was a Success!

Saturday January 9, 2010 marked the end of Glynne’s Rites of Passage Program—although we acknowledge this is simply one of many stepping stones toward responsible manhood.

The program culminated with the Ascension Dinner. We planned for 100 people and estimate between 70 – 80 attended. It was an emotional night—a fun night—a reflective night. It was a night of honor and praise. It was the night that we as The Village addressed Glynne as man; not boy.

This has been a long process for our family. Many false starts, but finally made it across the finish line.

Despite the program, quest, dinner, much talking and sharing with others over the course of time about all of this—some still are fuzzy about it. Last night I tried articulating the “what” and “why”—but still got many questions.

So, this post will do several things: define what the rites of passage program is; give the back-story, explaining how we got here; why we gathered; and why it was important for attendees to be present. But first I want to acknowledge and honor the people that made last night a success.

There are many to acknowledge, please click on this link to honor those folks.

To get a full understanding of “why” a rites of passage program you must read my autobiographical write-up Purpose and Genesis of this Rites of Passage Idea. It gives the back-story, explaining how we got here; why we gathered for the Ascension Dinner and why it was important for attendees to be present.

Finally, the definition of what the rites of passage program is. It is the concerted efforts of loving, caring adults in the life of a boy to usher him responsibly into adult manhood. Beyond this simplistic definition, I can only offer some of the insight I’ve gleaned during my personal research. I’m poised to continue looking into the idea and fleshing it out further. In the meantime check out this definition; and this definition; read my material on The Journey (and continue to do your own research).

God bless you! Those that have frequented the blog, thank you.