02/07/2024 0 Comments
From the Associate Vicar: Holy Week Embodied
From the Associate Vicar: Holy Week Embodied
# From The... - Letters to the Congregation
From the Associate Vicar: Holy Week Embodied
If you would prefer to listen to this letter being read out loud click below or check out our podcast "St. Columba's Kent, WA Sermons" -
Dear One’s of St. C’s,
I hope you all aware by now that we will find out on Saturday (March 25th) if Alissa will be elected as the next Bishop of Maryland. An email will get sent out to the congregation shortly after the results are announced. I know so many are holding hope, excitement and sadness around what this could mean for Alissa and what it will mean for us. I look forward to all being together on Sunday to process whatever the results will be.
Regardless, of the results of the Bishop’s election, Holy Week is quickly approaching. Holy week is such a sacred time as we anticipate Easter. The resurrection is at the center of our of faith. But our understanding of what the resurrection means for our faith and our life, starts with Holy Week.
Palm Sunday where Jesus comes into Jerusalem triumphant on a donkey. Where we enter embodied by waving our palms and participating in a procession.
Maundy Thursday (6:30pm) where Jesus has his last meal with his friends and introduces the Eucharist for the first time, washes his disciples feet, commands them to love each other, and is ultimately betrayed. Where we enter embodied, wash each other’s feet, receive Eucharist, strip the altar together, and watch the priest wipe it clean.
On Good Friday we will offer the Stations of the Cross (noon), which go through Jesus’ last day of life. Where we enter embodied, walking each station and allowing our bodies to express our emotions. Later that evening we will have a Good Friday service (6:30pm) where Jesus will die on the cross. Where we enter embodied, to take turns reading the passion and then venerating the cross with candles.
Finally there is the Easter Vigil and Easter. The Easter Vigil is on Saturday night (8pm), where we wait and watch for Jesus’ resurrected body. Where we enter embodied, to tell the stories of our faith to each other around a fire in the Memorial Garden, walk towards the font to participate in Keith’s baptism, and then celebrate the risen Christ and shout our alleluias. This is the oldest annual liturgy in the church calendar, and it is celebrated in four parts: light, word, baptism, and communion. These four parts correspond to the four elements: fire, air, water, and earth, and so the Vigil becomes an icon of the cosmos itself. Come celebrate the renewal of all things through this most ancient celebration of our faith.
Easter Sunday is where we continue our celebration of the resurrected Christ. We enter in embodied, to receive Eucharist and shout our alleluias (Greek mash-up. Allelu (“Praise Ye!”) – ia (“Yahweh” - The Lord) that have been buried all Lent.
Come join us as we walk towards the cross and ultimately celebrate Jesus' resurrection together!
with hope,
Meghan
Comments