March 12, 2021 Dear Christ Church Members and Friends, We know that winter is coming to an end. The change in the weather and snowdrops and crocuses announce a new season is arriving; it happens each year. We don’t have that same annual pattern to reassure us that the pandemic is also coming to an end, but we hope that the signs are true, and this long slough of despair will end as the path emerges once again to solid ground. Last year, our and celebrations were observed in the home and with online worship. This year, we offer opportunities to mark this holiest of seasons with worship in person and online. I want to share our plans with you so that you know how to mark the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and be renewed in the way of hope, in the Easter life. Please review the offerings for worship here, assembled for these holy days. All worship in person must be registered so that we can follow the best practices for safeguarding one another. Visit our website to register for every service you plan to attend. Remember that offerings online can be shared as a way to invite someone to worship with us. IN-PERSON WORSHIP – A MIX OF OPPORTUNITIES OUTDOORS AND IN THE CHURCH Palm worship at 8:00 and 10:30 AM will be in the church, with the distribution of palms outdoors from 9:00 to 10:00 for those who are not ready to assemble in worship. As last year, drive around the circle in front of the church and we will hand you palms. worship is at 5:00 PM under the tent on the lawn. This is a great liturgy for all ages. At the , taught his disciples that they were to love and serve others. This worship remembers that mandate of love as we become disciples in action. Rather than ritual footwashing, those present will make Easter greeting cards, followed by an open-air celebration of Holy Communion in the Garden. We will continue our practice of an all-night vigil in the church this year. This enacts the disciples’ presence in the Garden with Jesus. The vigil is kept in silent reverence of prayer before the Sacrament, the real presence of Jesus with us. worship is held outdoors from 12:00 to 3:30 PM. Scripture tells us Jesus was crucified around noon and suffered three hours. On the hour, we gather in the Memorial Garden to hear story from each of the four evangelists, followed by walking the way of the . We are installing along the path to the labyrinth, and clergy will lead short meditations and prayers at each station. You are welcome to come for one hour or the whole afternoon. You may also walk the way of the cross on your own. A resource is available to guide you. Good Friday is offered in the church at 7:00 PM as we enter the sorrow and darkness of life without the light of Christ’s life. This is our last offering until the dawn of Easter.

Easter Day worship is offered on the lawn under a tent. Dress for the weather this year and bring a chair or blanket if you want to enjoy the worship a bit more distanced from others. The is at 6:30 AM, lighting the new fire of Christ’s light at the labyrinth. This is a “wonder”ful service for older children and youth. Coming to church in the dark and sharing in a puts the resurrection first in your family Easter celebrations. The vigil fire is lit at 5:00 AM, and all are welcome in the darkness before the dawn. Easter worship continues at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. All services share in Holy Communion and include music with choir, tympani, and trumpet – Easter triumph, Easter joy! ONLINE WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER DAY

Palm Sunday includes a homily by the Rev. Paul Gennett and concludes with the telling of the Passion of our Lord.

Good Friday includes a homily by the Rev. Michael Kurth and some of the great hymns of Holy Week. Easter Day includes a homily by the Rev. Ruth Beresford and our tradition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, offered in a 2018 recording of the Christ Church Choir to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS TO MARK THESE HOLY DAYS

On Good Friday, The Episcopal Church appeals to each congregation and every Episcopalian to strengthen the witness of the Church in the Holy Land. The Good Friday Offering is sent to the Anglican Church for hospitals and schools and other ministries of service. Each year, our Easter Offering is received and allocated for our service to local neighbors in need. We know the need is always great, but after this pandemic year, it is greater still. Who can forget the word Jesus spoke, when he said, “you will always have the poor with you?” Giving is one way we act out our service of love, always needed.

Offering plates still cannot be passed from person to person, so make any special offerings online before coming to the service or worshiping at home or bring it with you and place it in the offering basket as you arrive. You may also text a contribution to (302) 244-5368 or mail your offering envelope or contribution to Christ Church, P. O. Box 3510, Wilmington, DE 19807.

EASTER MARKS THE WAY OF HOPE

Our Lenten offerings follow the Way of Love taught by our Lord to all disciples in every age. We began with the Way of Lament in our prayer, crying to God our sorrows and knowing God hears and consoles. We enter the Easter season in the Way of Hope, for in Christ, God is making all things new. Hope believes in the possibilities, and faith gives us the inspiration to keep moving toward them. I pray you will join us for Holy Week and Easter. Remember to register for any in-person service. I look forward to greeting you and walking the way of love together.

Faithfully,

Ruth L. Beresford Rector