The date is the same, 19 November, but the venue has changed. Steve Erdmann suggested that we keep the “walk” idea but move the location to St. Peter School. Each man will be in a different classroom that Jacob was in during his years at St. Peter School, and the walk will be from room to room. This does a number of things: it removes the effect of bad weather, it allows us to do the walk then progress right into the ceremony in the Sanctuary, and it provides additional symbolism with the parallel of going from grade to grade to growing from boy to man. Pastor Micah Greiner is supportive of this idea, and we are in the process of making it happen.

Mary Jo has the Sanctuary reserved from 1 pm to 4 pm. The number of men who can participate will dictate the start time. I will limit the ceremony to no more than 1 hour, so by starting the ceremony at 3 pm we will be finished by 4 pm. That gives a max time of 2 hours for the wisdom and council of Godly men. Please email to let me know if you plan to participate. The best case would be 12 men, in which case we will have 10 minutes each.

Greetings from Texas (Howdy, Y’all).

We have rescheduled the Manhood Ceremony activities for Saturday, 19 November. Jacob’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held the next day, Sunday, 20 November.

Manhood Ceremony activities will still consist of the walk at Deer Grove park, the actual ceremony at St. Peter Lutheran Church at 2 pm (in the Sanctuary now instead of Bartz Hall), and the dinner at Piatti Pronti at 6:30 in the evening. I am looking at taking less time during the day on recommendation from Mary Jo, as a whole day may be difficult for some to justify. I’ll think about this more in the next few days. If you have opinions, please get back to me.

I have decided to postpone all of the manhood activities until a future date. I would very much like for all of you men and peers to participate, and a number are unable to on the 13th.

My wife has reserved Bartz Hall at St. Peter School for the ceremony. It will start at 2 pm, and I would like to meet there at 1 pm to set up and rehearse a bit.

This will follow the morning ‘Life Walk’ at Deer Grove Park, and will be followed by a dinner at Piatti Pronti in Arlington Heights for participants (fathers and peers).

This morning I sent emails to a group of Jacob’s best friends:

I am planning a Manhood ceremony for Jacob on August 13th at 2 pm, and I am asking you to consider participating.  The purpose of the ceremony is to affirm Jacob as he passes from boyhood to manhood, and will be held at St. Peter school in Bartz Hall.  A number of men are participating (including your father) and I am asking those friends of Jacob's who know him best to participate as well.

What I ask of you is to write a short paragraph on something that you believe that Jacob does well, and read it during the ceremony.  Additionally, I would like for you to write a sentence on something you believe that Jacob needs to watch out for as he goes through life, such as a tendency to talk too much, for example.  The first will be read publicly, and both parts will be given to Jacob for him to read privately.

If you are unable to attend, please consider writing the two short paragraphs so I can include them with paragraphs from others in a small binder for Jacob's use in the future.

In any event, please do not discuss this with Jacob as I would like for this to be a surprise for him.

Please let me know at your earliest convenience, and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.  More information about the ceremony is available at my website, www.harperhill.net.

Thanks, and best regards,

Mr. Harper

If your son receives one of these, please encourage him to participate. I believe it vital that Jacob’s respected peers, those that know him best, participate as well. In addition to the affirmation of something he does well, I have asked them to point out a (potential) weakness to balance out the praise.