Each year after Easter Sunday, I receive all sorts of expressions of concern about my
well-being, since I will have played nine services within Holy Week. (I cannot complain, because my clergy colleagues handle 18 services or more between them.)  Some years, the effort is indeed exhausting, and I find myself wrung out at the end of it all.  But this year, Holy Week reinvigorated me and after a day of rest, I find myself happy to be back in the office preparing next week's music.

A couple of factors made the difference for me:  first, the lamentable death of a cousin, and secondly, the willingness of our congregation and choir to make the entire week a spiritual practice.

The loss of my young cousin was unexpected and occurred the Saturday before Palm Sunday and I found out about the death just before our services the next day. The funeral was held on Holy Wednesday and I was able to drive my mother down to Southern Virginia where we met and grieved with our extended family. Looking at the Passion and Resurrection through the eyes of grief made the rest of the week seem almost surreal.  

At the Maundy Thursday foot washing, I was put in mind of the people of St. John's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, VA. That congregation became the hands and feet of Christ to our family, providing such love through service to us in our grief. They provided everything for the post funeral luncheon and my poor aunt and uncle were relieved of so much responsibility on Wednesday. Members of the congregation prayed with our family members and gave so much of their time and resources. They became for me the full realization of Christ's commandment to love one another.

On Friday, my personal anguish found expression in the music. The hymn "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed" was set to the tune "Martyrdom," the melody my own grandmother used to sing around the house as she did chores. The Troparion, "Give Us that Stranger" was sung with such emotion by our choir that cantor Philip Greenfield said to me afterwards, "There was something deeply spiritual going on tonight. I've rarely had that kind of experience singing anything."  This vast emotion and spiritual depth lifted my heart.  

Saturday, I found myself looking so forward to those first "alleluias" of Easter, I could barely contain myself.  At the Great Vigil of Easter, I realized how many of our congregation had decided to come to more than Palm and Easter Sunday services this year. I looked around and saw a church full of people committed to experiencing the full Triduum and sharing in the prayers and heartfelt understanding of Christ's experience.  I realized that the prayers of the people had indeed helped to sustain me and my broken heart during this Holy Week and that St. Margaret's was home to me, the place where I love my friends and feel love in return. I was so grateful to those who had gone the distance with me this Holy Week.

When Easter Sunday morning came around, my joy was restored and the music and messages were glorious to hear.  When the trumpets and horns played the Hallelujah Chorus and I heard the choir singing, I knew the joy of the resurrection and joy was indeed brought to my heart. 

Thank you to all who participated in the Holy Week Services, with a special thanks to the choirs of St. Margaret's and the Third Sunday Band who gave so much of their time during Holy Week.

Now, let us all commit to live out the resurrection joy through service to others. I believe you will find some great opportunities below.

Have you seen our Easter 2017 photo gallery?

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon - May 21

St. Margaret's could not provide the programs, formation offerings, worship opportunities, etc without the time and talents of many volunteers. We would like to thank and celebrate our many volunteers on Sunday, May 21, in a luncheon after the final service, at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. From teachers to coffeehour hosts, from musicians to building & grounds volunteers, from Eucharistic Ministers to members of our Altar and Flower guilds, please join us for appreciation and fellowship of another successful program year. To adequately plan for the event, please email info@st-margarets.org to confirm your participation.

Bluegrass Mass - June 4

Our annual outdoor Bluegrass Mass and parish picnic will occur on Sunday, June 4, at 11:15 a.m. Led by our Third Sunday Band, our Mass will include a good, old-fashioned hymn sing. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. For those with last names from A-L, please bring a dessert. For those with names from M-Z, please bring a side dish.