Community Vespers: How to Say Goodbye

Last Friday night, our campus slowed down in a rare and meaningful way. As Sabbath was beginning, students gathered for vespers, some tired, some laughing, all bringing their own stories into the room.

Pastor Lydia from Crosswalk PDX spoke about How to Say Goodbye, not the hurried or awkward kind, but the kind that honors what has been.  She talked about endings that don’t erase meaning, about gratitude that can exist alongside sadness, and about letting go without pretending it doesn’t hurt. Her words landed softly but stayed heavy, the kind you keep turning over in your mind.

What made the night memorable wasn’t only the message, but how students received it. The room grew quiet as they listened, recognizing pieces of their own lives in what was being said. There was an unspoken understanding that goodbyes are unavoidable, and that facing them well requires honesty and care. Some students leaned in, others sat thoughtfully, but everyone stayed present.

As the service came to a close, the atmosphere didn’t immediately lift. Instead, students lingered, talking in small groups, sharing hugs, and letting the moment stretch a little longer. The night held space for reflection, connection, and mutual support.

When students eventually left, they carried more than just the memory of a Friday night gathering. The message followed them into their weekend, offering a reminder that endings can be meaningful, and that walking through them together makes them a little easier to bear.