From the Rector

Dear Friends, 

We are about to step into a love story with many twists and turns, not only in the plot, but in the thoughts and feelings we will experience. Holy Week is a time like no other.

We step into it this weekend with the Liturgy of the Palms, and a community procession. This recalls Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The ritual will include a joyous singing of "All glory, laud, and honor." I can remember a former mentor of mine, The Rev. Bill Payton, using the palm branches to tease acolytes who had their hands full and could not retaliate. Other processions I can remember included banners and tambourines.

It can be quite a ruckus, just as we imagine it was when Jesus was hailed as the messiah entering Jerusalem. He was greeted by cheering crowds, waving palm branches, hailing him as their king, and shouting their blessings and hosannas...until something shifted.

By the end of the week, they were shouting something else entirely. Pilate asked the crowds, "What do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" They shouted in response, "Crucify him!" Later, they mocked him, shouting and saluting, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

This whole day can be a bit jarring, shifting as it does from joyous celebration to confusion, betrayal and sorrow. Our worship will take us on this journey along with Jesus and the crowds.

The time we will spend together in community this week will also have its ups and downs. The point is that we take this Holy Week journey together and welcome our guests as our traveling companions.

Many of you have been preparing for awhile now, to welcome the rest of the community into God's great love story. We have definitely had some fun together getting ready. Our Great Vigil planning team had some silliness along with our soup and skits. Working with the musicians and staff, we have shared some laughs as well as what feels like a thousand draft bulletins. And as you can see in the video above, our acolytes are ready! Huge thanks to Meaghan for training them, and capturing their joy, with her inimitable video editing. See you on the way!

Faithfully, Jennifer

Highlights

in the

Coming Weeks

Weekly worship services:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and

Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in

the historic church.

Palm Saturday and Sunday, 3.23 at 5:00 and 3.24 at 10:00, Worship in historic church.

• Liturgy of the Palms (blessing and procession of the palms) at both services
• 3.24 at 10:00 -- Choir School of Newport County joins us in worship.
• Bring in Easter egg candy. (See below under well-being.)

Wednesday, 3.27

• 4:00 p.m., Southside Studio, Lower Level Parish House -- Living Well Through Lent: A Weekly Reflection Group
• Last day to donate Easter egg candy. (See below under well-being.)
• Special eNews for Triduum Sacrum and Easter

Monday, 4.1 - Friday, 4.5, Church office closed

Tuesday, 4.8, 9:00 a.m., Church office reopens