A commenter was a bit puzzled at the ceremony performed at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, at the retirement of the seminary's debt.

I actually like this. My parishioners often invite me to special and important events in their life - not just the "churchy" ones, but also the mundane. They want me there at birthday and retirement parties and ask for a prayer and a "few words." I think this is good: they are responding to the Christian desire to sanctify "all things with the Word of God and prayer."

I've said prayers at the burial of a dog - I'd be happy to grab my surplice and pastoral companion when the mortgage is paid off.

+HRC