Seeking Authentic Voice

The pain, denial, rejection, and suffering, of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is over. The darkness of Good Friday has passed. The tomb of Holy Saturday, pointed us to examine the shadow side of life: of evil and darkness; toward all the ways people attempt to lock away God’s love. Now, the tomb is split open and Jesus is on the move again. No human effort can ever contain God. As a congregation we have walked the way of the cross, followed the footsteps of Jesus. We have washed feet, prayed through the night at the altar of repose, knelt at the cross, and rejoiced as the light of Christ came into the world once more. Together we journeyed through the Triduum of Holy Week and embrace the most ancient traditions of our faith.Today we sing our Alleluia’s and celebrate Easter. Each year Easter comes – it comes to assure us that nothing we do will ever stop God from doing God’s work in the world. Celebrating Holy Week, worshiping though the three services of Maundy Thursday, Good Frida

Tonight begins the Triduum, the holiest of liturgies in the life of the church. We will celebrate one worship service that begins with Maundy Thursday and the washing of feet. It continues with an overnight prayer vigil at the Garden of Repose, keeping watch with Christ, symbolized by the consecrated bread and wine and lighted candle. The watch ends with the Good Friday service at noon. This service will be somber, gathered around a barren altar, even the clergy will sit in the pews. Only the consecrated bread and wine and a candle will be on the altar. We will offer a meditation instead of a sermon. There will be props for the meditation, dice, sandals, a mallet, nails, a rough hewn cross. We will leave in silence after eating the bread and wine. The Great Vigil, held Saturday night, reminds us of our salvation history. We light the paschal candle in the darkness of the outdoor courtyard, symbolizing the light of Christ coming into the world anew. The first half of the service is in d

Today I drove two hours north to attend the Diocesan Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. It was interesting to be present at this annual Holy Week gathering of clergy and renewal of ordination vows, particularly to be present at such a big gathering of clergy and know no one. I knew almost everyone before I left the Diocese of Chicago. Now I know no one. Well, except the deacon who drove up with me and one clergy person who attended CREDO with me a year ago. Luckily that person recognized me and introduced me to others. I missed seeing all my friends and colleagues, but it was still ok. The Chrism mass was a lot like the one I am used too...in form and structure. Glad to have somethings feel familiar. Actually a lot feels familiar. I love the feel of the air outside, dry and warm and fresh. I like the mountains and vast open spaces. I like having a staff. The rest of the week will be busy - a lot of meetings tomorrow (Wed) plus a funeral. Various meetings on Thursday plus the Maundy Thurs. s

A reflection for Palm-Passion Sunday and the beginning of a new ministry In the year 1863 Hannah began the voyage of a lifetime. Married only a few years and with two small children, William about 3 and Harriet an infant, Hannah left Manchester, England for the United States, leaving her husband Jonathon behind. Hannah and Jonathon were married in 1857 in the Cathedral in Manchester, and now a mere six years later she was setting off on her own, with two children in tow, and third on the way. Hannah sailed from England to New York City on a ship called the Antarctic, leaving Liverpool on May 23, 1863. It was an old ship with many leaks, requiring the sailors to spend several hours each day bailing water. The drinking water was bad and had to be boiled before consumption. Small pox broke out. Seven passengers died on the seven week journey from Liverpool to New York, one of them being the baby Harriet, Hannah’s infant daughter. Immediately upon her arrival in NYC Hannah, now six months