(Barbara was more than eighty years old at the time that she delivered this sermon. She died the following summer.)

"Don't tell me you are STILL teaching Sunday School!" an old friend exclaimed recently.
"Yes," I answered with some confidence, "I am investing in my immortality.

It would be wonderful to be assured that this life which I have enjoyed so much would go on forever, but reason tells me that I am indulging in wishful thinking. But, suppose a part of me could become immortal, which part would I choose? Not my body, it's not very unusual. How about my soul, my spirit? I'm not sure what I mean by those words. My outlook on life? My strong convictions? My belief in the power of love and the worth of goodness? Yes! Yes! This is what I choose to live on beyond my death, to be my immortality.

Investing in immortality... It is a little like dropping pebbles into a pool and watching the concentric circles spread out and out until it is hard to tell when they really disappear; or it is like planting tiny seeds to blossom in someone else's garden. For sixty-six years of my life I have spent my Sunday mornings with children and young people. I honestly consider it a privilege.

Over the years I have given careful thought to the selection of the seeds I have scattered and helped to cultivate. When we invest in the planting of ideas it may be years before we have any positive returns from our investment; but the very pleasure of making the investment is so great that it is possible to forget the hope for any return.

In Sunday School this year, my junior high students and I lit candles to remember people who have inspired us and influenced our lives. Then, I reminded those young people that they, in turn, are already an influence in the lives of others who look to them as models. Before extinguishing the candle flames we read these words: "I will live on in the lives of others, so it makes a difference what I say and do."

I am convinced that our liberal faith is needed now more than ever. There are important questions we must ask. What is our image for humanity in the next century? What must we believe about ourselves in order to bring that image to reality? Where do we start? Obviously, we start with our children and the shaping of their lives for the future. We must be dedicated to living our lives with purpose, consciously, mindfully, becoming good models, good mentors, to our young adults.

We cannot afford to live without purpose; there is a whole future at stake for our children and their children's children. Let us be reminded that we are called to be the dreamers of dreams, the planters of seeds, the guardians of a proud heritage, the keepers of the flame, the shapers of the future. It matters what we believe, it matters what we do.

As for me, as the years advance, the days become ever more precious. Each spring seems lovelier and more exciting than the last. I want to witness the miraculous budding of every tree and stand smiling at the willows bursting forth in fountains of yellow-green. And love grows, expanding, over-flowing at times, demanding expression, comfortably shared.

And how about my immortality? I have the greatest confidence in my investment. May I recommend it to you?

What a wonderful surprise to be told about the Ann Fields and Barbara Marshman scholarship, surrounded by my congregation - and to be the first fortunate recipient. I was overwhelmed and so very touched. I never had the pleasure of meeting Ann, though I well know how she has shaped our Religious Education movement, and of course, her curriculum team work with Barbara.

I considered Barbara a friend and mentor, from RE Team and Ferry Beach. She was a very bright light for me, and still is. I attended her funeral at Follen Church, and cried through the two hours of loving testimonials. I am very, very honored to receive the scholarship that bears her name.

I would certainly encourage more DREs to journey within the "landscape," and I am thankful that we have some needed structure and incentives for growth and recognition within the open field of lay ministry in Religious Education.