“By the way, April Fools is cancelled…Keep your jokes to yourself because this whole year has been one already. We’re tired! Today is March 32nd!” (Chris Snuggs)
Dear Friends:
It’s no joke. Who would have thought, as we round out Lent and begin our journey through Holy Week, that our Lenten discipline of “Courage” would entail obedience to social distancing in groups of ten or fewer, maintaining a span of six feet apart, washing our hands until they bleed, staying home, working remotely and home schooling our children?! We are there, my friends, honoring the governor’s orders, and the Bishop’s instruction, along with the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. At the same time, we are a people of faith. We trust in God’s grace, love and mercy in this time. Together, safely, we will carry out Holy Week and Easter. Beginning with Palm Sunday this Sunday, our Holy Week, while much of it will seem familiar, our participation will certainly require some creativity from all of us. Together, let’s journey through the best Holy Week ever!
Friday and Saturday, this week, before Palm Sunday, while on your way to food shopping, come pick up your palms to be blessed virtually through livestreaming worship on Sunday. Palms will be available this Friday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday from noon-2:00 pm on a table near door #1 as you enter the driveway. Drive by, reach out and grab what you need for your household.Tune in this Sunday at 10:00 for the blessing of the palms, the reading of the passion and the Lord’s Supper. Sunday evening at 5:30 Celtic Worship Evening Prayer will be an online previously recorded broadcast. Plan to start your Holy Week with worship.
Keep watch for the Holy Week schedule. Each day engage with Jesus in his journey to the cross through personal prayer, service, agape feasting, humility, vulnerability, online practices and livestreaming worship. Now, a few words about sharing in Holy Communion.
Over these past weeks, the longing for sharing in Holy Communion, continues to be a yearning for us all. Sharing in the Lord’s Supper, the Great Thanksgiving, is central to who we are as the body of Christ, uniting one to another and to Christ. At this time we are fasting from communion and partaking in “spiritual communion”. During livestream worship, we will continue to ask the Lord to bless the bread and the wine and make it holy. But, in an effort to remain in solidarity with one another, the few present, and those at home, we will refrain from consuming the holy meal. Jesus intends for all to share in this holy meal. Therefore, we will wait until we’re all able to do so in community. Children at home are particularly concerned that they cannot be gathered in worship to share in the community, Sunday School, and the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps children will value “playing” worship at home. This does not replace or substitute our community gathering for Holy Eucharist. But, through “play” fears can be distilled while the children can still have the sense of belonging we all miss so dearly. Please, talk with one another about how God is asking us to find new ways to be together while we are apart. Recognize the grief. Look for the bright light of hope shining in each new day. Open, honest conversation during these very challenging times is helpful and healing for all.
We’ll celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Sunday with livestreaming worship. Please attend with your palms held high: Simply log into https://epiphanyec.org/live/and click on the worship bulletin and live stream worship.
As well, Epiphany, we will prevail because of a glorious God and with each and every one of us uniting to remember to give generously of your financial gifts online: https://onrealm.org/EpiphanyEpiscopal/-/give/now
Please, should you have thoughts, questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at clergy@epiphanyec.org; or 703-466-5200 ext. 102. We’re in this for the long while; united, one to another and in Christ. No joke!
A Most Blessed Holy Week,
Hillary