Dear Folks,

For a stretch of time this winter, a pilot group of students from Govans Elementary School and volunteers from Redeemer have been teaching each other mindfulness. They have created time and space for quiet focus, strategies to diffuse anxiety or anger, habits that encourage positive self-awareness, the gift of embodiment, and growth. Experts call mindfulness a state of active, open attention to the present which balances engagement with healthy detachment. “When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad… it means living in the moment and awakening to experience.” (Psychology Today) The children and adults alike have discovered their capacity to bring good energy to tough situations: to dig down deep, to open up, to breathe. The days between now and Easter invite a similar awakening.

This Palm Sunday, immerse yourself in waving branches and shouting “Hosanna,” sing “Glory Laud and Honor” with all the gusto you can muster, and at the same time be conscious of what all those shouts of praise do to a room full of people, and to you. Are you swept along by the energy of the moment or does some part of you hold back? Both? Neither? What memories does this day conjure up for you? What dizzying combination of emotions were Jesus and the disciples feeling?

Now to the gate of my Jerusalem,
The seething holy city of my heart,
The saviour comes. But will I welcome him? (excerpt from a sonnet by Malcolm Guite)

On Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper, gathering around a large, single table in the parish hall. To keep it simple, we ask each person to bring a bag supper… maybe a little bit to share, and we’ll provide some bread and wine. Bring your stories of transformation from the last 40 days: insights gained from our speaker series, relationships strengthened through serving in the community, anecdotes from your own life or family, prayers… When the Spirit moves us, I will gather the bits and pieces of our lives in the story of Jesus’ Eucharist with his community. We will break bread together and then wash each other’s feet or hands, just like they did the last time Jesus gathered with his friends. We will end in a silent procession to the church and stripping of the altar.

On Good Friday we are confronted with the agony and grace of Love, in a service that provides plenty of quiet to consider both. Help us create this deep and nourishing silence. Within it, the Spirit of new life begins to stir: “let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made…” (BCP, p. 280) After the service, stations of the cross with images from our various ministries in Baltimore commemorates an ancient ritual.

Holy Saturday at 5:00 we kindle the new fire of life in a fire-pit beyond the church doors, and then gather at the outside font to welcome the newly baptized. Then we recount the history of salvation and celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter inside at the main altar.

Out of our image, Lord, keep rising,
and into our richness, our poverty,
keep on,
keep on being born. (“Incarnation: Holy Week,” Jennie Storey)

And on Easter morning…!

We’re on a sacred journey together, between now and April 16, and beyond. Dig down, open up, breathe deeply, and join us step by step along the Way.

Love,

David