Baccalaureate service to take place St. Stephen's Church on June 21

By Roger Gavan
WARWICK — The annual Baccalaureate Ceremony, an inter-faith religious service featuring song, prayers and well-wishes to the high school graduating class hosted by the Warwick Valley clergy, will take place at The Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, on Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m.
The annual event has been a popular tradition and, until this year, enjoyed the full support of the Warwick Valley School District.
However, last fall, as a result of a complaint made by a local resident to Freedom From Religion, Inc., the district can no longer endorse the event.
"We received an official letter from Freedom From Religion informing us that we were in violation of the establishment clause," said School Superintendent Dr. David Leach. "I'm disappointed but we can no longer promote the Baccalaureate in any way or provide any assistance such as mentioning it on our web site or calendar or having singing practice in the school.
"But I plan on being there along with many others from the school," he added. "We haven't shed our rights as private citizens."
Establishment ClauseFreedom From Religion Legal Director Rebecca Markert had warned the district that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits public schools from sponsoring any type of religious practice.
Baccalaureate programs, she wrote, are religious services that include prayer and worship.
The establishment clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution - "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" - has created controversy. But on advice of school counsel, Leach informed Freedom From Religion that the school district would dissociate itself from the baccalaureate service.
There are case histories to support that decision. The Freedom From Religion web site posts hundreds of its own legal successes, including stopping a pizza shop from giving a 10 percent discount to churchgoers on Sundays.
In order to preserve the tradition, Leach informed the local clergy of his decision and suggested they simply continue it without school assistance or promotion.
As individuals, but not as a groupAlthough The Meistersingers, for example, cannot practice in school or appear under their own banner or with the school director, individual singers could participate.
And, according to the Rev. Tim Anderson, pastor of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, who has had a leadership role in the service, the award-winning Jubilate, a co-ed choir of musically talented youth who practice at Christ Episcopal Church, will perform at this year's celebration.
All seniors should pick up their graduation gowns and wear them to the service.
"They purchase their own gowns," said Leach, "so there is no reason to stop them from picking them up and wearing them to the service."
EssentialsThe baccalaureate, a celebration honoring the graduating high school senior class, has become and still is a traditional part of the graduation. Families are welcome to attend and no tickets are required.
For additional information, call Anderson at 258-4541, the Rev. Jack Arlotta at 986-4028 or visit: www.wvhsblessing.com.