Holy Week is no doubt the busiest time of year for clergy; reflecting that here's a Friday5 from the RGBP:
1. Will this Sunday be Palms only, Passion only, or hyphenated?
This Sunday is properly referred to in the Prayer Book as "The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday" which pretty much answers that question! We will begin with the "Procession of the Palms" and this year (if the weather cooperates) we will begin in the library parking lot across the street, bless the palms, and process singing into the church. The mood switches mid-service with the reading of the Passion (Luke this year). At the end of the service we will depart in silence (well, we'll try, anyway.)
2. Maundy Thursday Footwashing: Discuss.
Yes. Interestingly enough I was in a discussion about this in another on-line forum and I was surprised by the number of Episcopal churches who don't do footwashing, because it's been a part of my church life every place I've been as an adult.
I should insert here that my liturgics professor really emphasized a full observance of the Triduum, and that along with my own experiences means that I see this week as the most significant liturgically of the year. I also believe the sign value of what we do is very important as well. In seminary we washed each others' feet--each person up washed the next person. I really liked that. Last year (my first year here) we only had a few people come forward and while I don't like "plants" very much, we may have to encourage a few folks to see if their coming up will encourage others.
The word "Maundy" comes from the mandate Jesus give us to serve others, so it seems valuable to model it in the liturgy. Last year I set up the context in my sermon; I had thought about preaching on the Luke text alternative this year, but after my earlier discussion I think I will stick with John and the footwashing again.
3. Share a particularly meaningful Good Friday worship experience.
In seminary, the Good Friday Liturgy from the prayer book was taken more seriously than I had ever experienced before. At one point in the liturgy a large plain wooden cross is brought out and people are invited to venerate it if they wish. To be really honest, I had never seen such a thing and it seemed, well, a little silly the first year but I tried to be open about it. By my third year and after reading my liturgics prof's book on the Triduum (This Is the Night, James Farwell) I finally "got it". I can't really articulate it, but the whole Good Friday observance took on new meaning for me.
4. Easter Sunrise Services--choose one:
a) "Resurrection tradition par excellence!"
b) "Eh. As long as it's sunrise with coffee, I can live with it."
c) "[Yawn] Can't Jesus stay in the tomb just five more minutes, Mom?!?"
d) none of the above? If it's the Vigil, fine. Otherwise, no.
5. Complete this sentence: It just isn't Easter without...
Alleluias. Easter hymns. Joy.
Bonus: Any Easter Vigil aficionados out there? Please share.
YES for reasons I've given above. The Vigil is the culmination of the Triduum. It's moving and it brings home the drama of Easter--if it's done well. I love attending, and I'm beginning to love planning one. I would love it even more if my rector felt as strongly about it as I do.
Both at my seminary and at my field placement church the Vigils were very well done. They (at their best) start in the dark with the new fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, the singing of the Exultet, the readings that chronicle our salvation history. We will have a baptism again this year which is wonderful. After the baptism which takes place in candle light, the bells ring and the organ sounds and the lights come up and we really celebrate.
The Vigil can take place on Saturday night or early Sunday morning, but if I had my druthers it would be THE MAIN celebration of Easter, just as the Christmas Eve service is the main celebration of Christmas. It's a bit of a tough sell, though.
8 comments:
Lovely play!
Very thoughtful reflections here!
At the seminary I attended there was a veneration of the cross and my old (wonderful) theology prof walked up, kneeled at the cross and kissed it.Wow. I can't quite do that, but for him it was a real important moment. I'm learning to appreciate that veneration of the cross time...thank you for the thoughtful reflection and play...
loads to think about...I especially appreciated the Maunday Thursday thoughts!
As a former Roman Catholic, I never really experienced an Easter Vigil until I'd been in the Episcopal church for 6 or 7 years. Someone encouraged me to attend at my home parish and it was just beautiful. I think it really is the most beautiful and meaningful service we do. In my home parish, one of the things that I really loved about it (in my own selfish way) was that the attendees were all parishioners and generally people that I knew very well. It really is the service that the really faithful people attend - as opposed to the C&E christians that are there in the morning. It is such an amazing experience to celebrate the resurection in a room full of faithful people that really come together as a community to love one another and worship.
Good luck with the footwashing. I've always found it to be such a powerful and amazing thing to do, but it is true that many people are uncomfortable with it. Keep doing it, people will get used to it.
Cool thougths on foot washing. Yeah, sometimes you have to have a few to get 'em started.
Amen on the Vigil! Done well, it's my favorite service of the entire year. I was introduced to it at my first Episcopal parish, where it was in fact the main Easter service. Unfortunately, no church I've attended since has done the Vigil quite as well, and our current parish doesn't do it at all, which is a big disappointment.
Here's an odd one for you, I drove by a church that is offereing free car washes instead of feet washing. I wanted to scream. And I am a late to the table Episcopalian.
I love Easter Vigil. I was baptized during Easter Vigil. I much prefer it over the Easter Day services.
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