Vol. 27 No. 4 April 2017 Dear Edwards Church Community
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Vol. 27 No. 4 April 2017 Dear Edwards Church Community, Unlike the birth of Jesus, which scholars agree did not occur in December, his arrest, torture and execution, which we remember during Holy Week, and his resurrection, which we celebrate on Easter, most definitely happened in the spring. Scripture refers to Jesus and his disciples coming to Jerusalem for the Passover, which is always in the spring, and Passover and Holy Week often overlap as they do this year. It matters for biblical history, but it also matters for all those naturally occurring springtime events that we associate with resurrection: the flowers that bloom; the animals that emerge from hibernation; the birds that return to fill the air with their songs and build nests in which to lay eggs. “I thank you God for most this amazing / day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees / and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything / which is natural which is infinite which is yes” – e.e. cummings Spring is such a natural setting for an event that declares God has given us new life, or at least an invitation to it. Accepting that invitation requires something from us: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Matt. 16:24-25) The events of Holy Week and the services and gatherings we hold to remember them provide an opportunity to deepen our acceptance of the invitation. Gathering in Addis Hall for a Pot-Luck Last Supper, we can try to imagine how Jesus’ disciples first heard the words now familiar to us: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Sitting in the deepening darkness of the sanctuary as the passion story is read on Good Friday, we can try to imagine what Jesus and the disciples were going through when Jesus asked them to stay awake with him while he prayed at Gethsemane, or when he was being stripped and beaten, or when Peter was denying him. All these stories can have all the time and opportunity we give them – and only that much – to resonate inside us. All these stories have something new and something timeless to say to us. All we need to do is hear them and set them loose in our imagination. If you cannot make it to church, call the office, or email me, Heather Dandy or Deb Moore, and we can send you the stories you would hear if you came. Let them fall on you like an April shower on a garden and see what grows. Wherever and however you observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter, I wish you a full measure of the joy that is promised and given at the end of the story: “(now the ears of my ears awake and / now the eyes of my eyes are opened)” – e.e. cummings May God bless you and keep you, May God make her face to shine upon you, And be gracious to you, and give you peace. Michael Edwards Church is an Open and Affirming Congregation: We embrace Christ’s command to love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. Therefore, we welcome everyone regardless of ethnic background, economic circumstance, sexual orientation, family configuration, or difference in ability. All who seek the love of Christ are welcome to Edwards Church and to share fully in its life and ministry. In response to the Spirit of Christ in our midst, we glorify God and rejoice in the inherent worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God. From the Minister of Faith Formation Dear Members and Friends, Our journey through the wilderness time of Lent continues as we move closer to Holy Week. There were two processions entering Jerusalem on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday. One from the east as Jesus rode a donkey into the city flanked by followers and sympathizers; the other from the west as Pontius Pilate entered flanked by a cavalry of imperial soldiers and chariots. Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God; Pilate the kingdom of the Roman Empire. Those entering from the east were going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Passover; those entering from the west were going to reinforce the Roman garrison that overlooked the Jewish temple and its courts, as they often did during the occasion of a Jewish festival. The confrontation of the two kingdoms unfolds with the events of Holy Week. Symbols for Holy Week include: palm branches - which were waved joyfully as Jesus entered Jerusalem a basin and towel - symbolic of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples a bag of coins – reminding us of the 30 pieces of silver Judas betrayed Jesus for a lantern – the Roman soldiers entered the garden of Gethsemane carrying these a loaf and cup – elements of the last meal Jesus shared with this disciples a rope – used to bind Jesus as he was brought to the High Priest a crown of thorns – placed on Jesus’ head nails – used to nail Jesus on the cross a robe and dice – the soldiers gambled to see who would get the robe Jesus was wearing INRI – the inscription on the cross above Jesus, meaning Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews a rooster – Jesus told Peter that before the cock crowed, Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times. The liturgical color for Holy Week moves from purple to black on Good Friday. This year, as it often does, Holy Week and Passover will overlap with Passover beginning on April 10 and lasting for eight days. There will be a bibliography of literature and movies appropriate for children and adults on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Continued blessings on your journey through the events of Holy Week and into Easter. Blessings, Deb EASTER SUNDAY – Worship will be intergenerational with child care provided for infants and children through grade 2. 2 Annual Pancake Breakfast – Sponsored by the Youth Group with YOUTH GROUP support from interested adults Edwards Church Youth Group’s ministry is open to those in Grades 6 -12. April 9th, Palm Sunday We generally meet on the second and 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. in Addis Hall fourth Sunday of the month from 11:30- 1:00 , with a few exceptions. Youth are always welcome to bring a friend! Here’s what is coming up: April 9 ~ 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Our Annual Pancake Breakfast 11:30 – 1:00 Meeting in the Edwards Room Menu includes: Blueberry, chocolate chip, plain and gluten free pancakes April 23 ~ 11:30 – 1:00 Road trip (details to follow) Meat and veggie sausages, Hard boiled eggs Coffee, tea and juice Church School Thank you to those who continue to nurture our children and youth in the church school setting: Darleen Buttrick, Melissa Mattison, Betsy Young, Sandra Rossi, Harriet Smith, Carolyn Dion, Elena Frogameni, Catherine Thacker, Kimela Webb, Nina Young, Liz Stiles-Neumann, Diane Roeder, Jim Young, and Chelsea Marchetti. Nurturing the faith of our young ones not only provides us with an opportunity to re-visit the Bibles stories, it provides us with an opportunity to form lasting intergenerational relationships. The Bible stories and verses may not be remembered years down the road; however, your presence in their faith formation will. If you would like to know more about or are interested in nurturing the faith of our children and youth, please let Deb Moore, Melissa Mattison, Darleen Buttrick, Sheri Cheung or Sandi Coyne know. Thank you Children’s Choir Many, many thanks to all the generous folks who donated flowers these past few Sundays. Everyone loves seeing them We’re very excited to on Sunday morning and the recipients of your generosity announce the next round of are so pleased. rehearsals for the Edwards With great appreciation, Church Children’s Choir. Come join us for some bell ringing, Jan Hemminger, Flower Coordinator singing, fun games, and much more! We will be meeting on Sundays at 11:30am, right after fellowship, beginning on April 23rd. We’ll also make a musical offering to the congregation as part of Sunday morning service on June 4th. We look forward to seeing you all again soon. 3 Note: At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 29th, the Christian Outreach Committee discussed the following proposal, agreed that it warrants our serious consideration, and recommends that the Council call a special meeting of the congregation to consider and vote on it. A Proposal to Edwards Church A local opportunity to do a special onetime good deed has come up and attracted interest among members of our church. Accordingly, with our financial blessing and its recent growth a proposal has been made to make a significant donation to this great cause that has crossed our path. There is general support among those who have seen the proposal. Now, through the Spire, it is being distributed to all of our church’s members and friends. Please read the proposal below and give it due consideration. At its meeting on Tuesday, April 11, the Church Council will be asked to call a special meeting for the sole purpose of voting on the proposal. The date of that meeting, as well as any other related discussions before it, have not yet been set. The Hampshire Country Friends of the Homeless has been continuously raising money since 2000 so they can purchase houses for homeless people.