Click here to download photos from the 2010 Pinning Ceremony
When Katie Schmoeckel presented her sister, Ann, with a poem she had written about faith and the nursing profession, Ann was both appreciative and moved. Ann approached Nursing Department Chair Kelly Crum and asked if the poem could be read during Thursday morning’s pinning ceremony.
“I’ll take care of it,” Crum said.
In fact, however, Crum was already part of an elaborate and meaningful graduation present. Katie had asked Maranatha graduate Debbie (Hollenbach) Isaacs to set the poem to music. And, when Fine Arts Department Administrative Assistant Sherry Trainer sang that song Thursday, Ann's smile filled the gymnasium stage while her peers and instructors wiped away tears.
“I figured out what was going on right before the ceremony started,” Ann said. “I just started crying. I can’t believe how much my sister loves me.”
Ann, from Kenosha, Wis., was one of 11 women who received their pins as part of Maranatha’s third class of nursing graduates.
Katie, a sixth-grade teacher at Calvary Baptist Christian School in Watertown, wrote “The Light of Your Mission” after reading Jude 22 (“And of some have compassion, making a difference”) and listening to her sister talk about the struggles nurses face.
“I wanted to communicate to her both the difference Florence Nightingale had made in the nursing profession and the difference Ann could make in the lives of others,” Katie said. “After I wrote it, I thought it would be even more powerful set to music.”
A friend suggested Isaacs as the arranger. Cailin Isaacs, her daughter, is a nursing student at Maranatha.
“She did an awesome job,” Katie said.
One student who did an awesome job during her four years was Kristin Woodby. The senior from Grand Haven, Mich., was named the third recipient of the Florence Nightingale Award. The award is given for outstanding bedside manner, academic achievement, and spiritual maturity. Woodby joins previous winners Nadine Callan (2008) and Jessica Biechy (2009).
“I didn’t know about this until I recognized the passage Mrs. Crum was reading from my evaluation,” Woodby said. “It means a lot. I tried to do my best, and God blessed that.”
Woodby was given a glowing evaluation by personnel at Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, Wis., where she worked on the Medical, Surgical, and Pediatrics floors.
“It was a great experience,” Woodby said. “I got to do almost everything.”
The ceremony included the pinning, the lighting of the lamps, and the recitation of the Florence Nightingale Pledge. Maranatha President Dr. Marty Marriott delivered a message to the nurses-to-be.
“When the Lord touches our physical body, we are forced to think about the spiritual,” Marriott said. “I challenge you to devote yourselves to tying physical ministry to spiritual ministry.”
---Posted May 6, 2010
The Light of Your Mission
Lyrics by Katie Schmoeckel
Arrangement by Debbie Isaacs
The wounded and suff’ring lay around a hospital room where fear did abound.
As all those war-torn men in misery they cried, the lady with her lamp, she came to their side.
She came having compassion for those in need, making a difference by word and deed.
In the darkness of the room that night, she came bearing the light.
Her presence brought comfort and care. She helped restore life or hear a last prayer.
With skill in her touch and love in her tone, though dark was the night, her courageous light shone.
She came having compassion for those in need, making a difference by word and deed.
In the darkness of the room that night, she came bearing the light.
Our world is full of suff’ring and pain, with people who worry and complain.
Illness of body and sickness of soul, the weight of the world is taking its toll.
Go forth having compassion for those in need, making a difference by word and deed.
In the darkness of our world’s night, go forth bearing the Light.
So carry that lamp of truth and skill. Shine forth the Light as you live out God’s will.
Let the Light of the World be shining in you; it’s only His love that will carry you through.
Go forth having compassion for those in need, making a difference by word and deed.
In the darkness of the world’s night, go forth bearing the Light.