The Good News: Ecumenical Clergy Group Lead FBHS Baccalaureate Service

Clergy in attendance (back row), Fr. Eric Stelzer -St. Michael's, Rev. Dr. Mark Charles - Memorial, Rev. Granardo Felix- Trinity, Rev. Ben Mandrick - Prince of Peace, (front row) Pastor Gabriel Zavala - First Baptist, Rev. Dawn Mayes - First Presbyterian, and Rev. Sarah Minton - St. Peter's.

The 2026 senior class of Fernandina Beach High School will be graduating on Monday, May 18th. Before they move the tassel on graduation day, they celebrated together at the annual interfaith Baccalaureate service.

Planned entirely by the students, the service gives an opportunity for the graduates to gather and pray for their upcoming graduations and to receive uplifting messages from area clergy. The students work interfaith group of clergy representing St. Peter's Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Trinity United Methodist, Memorial United Methodist, Prince of Peace Luthern, St. Michael's Catholic Church, and First Baptist Church.

Rev. Dawn, Rev, Sarah, and Rev. Granardo read Scriptures to the graduates while members of the graduating class, Emma Barone, Chareston Knight, and Clay Hicks offered prayers.

Fr. Eric Stelzer from St. Michael's gave the keynote message and advised the students to "Trust in God's love first" as they faces questions and decisions about their future. He shared with the graduates ways to discern the voice of God, in obvious and subtle ways, among the many voices they will encounter. He encouraged them to find spiritual families and mentors wherever they may go to help them discern the right path that glorifies God.

"When we follow the path of the Lord, it's brings us joy, it brings us happiness, and it brings us peace," he told the students.

Each pastor then offered individual words of blessing to the group reminding them that no matter where they go and what they do, they will always be loved by God.

Pastor Charlie reminded them although they have seen many changes in their lives so far, and more changes are on the way, the one thing that never changes can be found in lamentations 3:22-23, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness." He told them, "The one thing that never changes is the love God has for you."

After the service, the clergy remained to offer individual blessings to any students who asked for one. The worship music arranged and led by students: Caitlyn Terry, Bella Sell, Ian Miller, Griffin Patesch, and Dean Rathman. The service was held at Fernandina Beach High School in the Multipurpose Room.