April 1, 2020

A Holy Week Message from the Rector

Though it will be absolutely nothing like we originally planned, Holy Week will happen at GSP, with all of the significance and prominence these days carry in our Christian tradition.  It is not an overstatement to say that this Holy Week will be unlike anything any of us has ever experienced in our lives. My hope, therefore, is that this very different way to live into our ancient practice, will open our eyes to the beauty, terror, and wonder of this week in a novel way, a way that will touch us deeply in the midst of this bizarre and isolated world in which we are living.  

First, a liturgical change as we enter this most important week of the year.  Our Sunday services have remained Communion services to this point in our live streaming, for the reasons I stated twelve days ago in my video to you.  It is also true however, that this is the one part of the service that we are struggling to maintain the six foot distance recommended by the CDC. I am also influenced by the words of our Bishop this week, who, while giving churches in the Diocese permission to continue this practice, made a compelling argument about all of us waiting together to be able to receive together.  So in typical Anglican fashion, I believe we have come up with a way to do both. Beginning Palm Sunday, we will discontinue the practice of consecrating elements and receiving them during the service. The Eucharistic Prayer will be replaced by an adapted prayer of St. Alphonsos de Ligouri from the 18th century, asking God to abide in our hearts during this time when we cannot be physically together.  This will hold on to the centrality of Eucharist in our Worship, while we also honor the fact that we are not physically together as a worshipping community. I appreciate your thoughts on this as you experience it on Palm Sunday and beyond.  

In preparation for this Sunday, palms will be prepared and available to each of you this Friday afternoon, April 3.  If you have an essential trip to make on Friday or Saturday, consider adding GSP as a stop to pick up some palm strips.  They will be outside next to the Animal Memorial Garden on the parking lot. If anyone else is there when you arrive, just wait for them to finish before you pick up yours, observing physical distancing.  In addition, the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit have suggested each of us hang some sort of greenery on the outside of our doors to remind our neighbors of what we observe this Sunday.

Because our Palm Sunday service is very similar at 7:45 and 10 AM, we will only live stream a service this Sunday at 10 AM.  The same will hold true on Easter Sunday. Please join us at tinyurl.com/gspvirtual at 10 AM this week, April 5 and next week, April 12.

We will also stream our Maundy Thursday service at 7 PM on April 9.  Hand washing and foot washing will be central sacramental acts in that service, as one couple will wash each other’s feet as a symbol for all of us.  This service captures everything we are as Christians and I commend it to all of you. It will be a very emotional night.

The customary practice from the end of the Maundy Thursday service to the first Good Friday one is for individuals to take part in a “Watch”, symbolizing the night that Jesus asked his disciples to stay up with him.  This has taken part at GSP in Julian Chapel, with a beautiful altar of repose. This year, we have decided that the best way to honor this tradition while being safe is to live stream the Altar of Repose so that you can take part in this meditative activity at home.  We have a few technological challenges to solve, but will get you information on linking to this meditative activity as soon as we can. Consider taking an hour watch period during the night and connecting to this live stream of the chapel.  

Good Friday will be a moving Tenebrae service at 7 PM.  Take part on-line as we move from light to darkness in another very emotional service.  tinyurl.com/gspvirtual

On Easter Sunday, we will live stream the service at 10 AM.  In addition to the pageantry and beauty of Easter Sunday, the service will also contain elements of the Easter Vigil, the liturgy we would normally do Holy Saturday night.  Baptisms that would have occurred at that service are being rescheduled for the big celebration when we all come back together in person. Some parishioners have already advised me that they will be wearing their Easter bonnets at home on the glorious day.  

Bulletins for all of these services are available for download at GSPtucson.org/bulletins .  

Thank you all for your beautiful comments and words of encouragement that you have posted online, texted, snail mailed and emailed.  They have buoyed my spirit. We believe that the worship experiences you will have this coming week will be even more powerful than what you have already experienced.

Blessings and gratefulness  
to you all,

Steve+ 
Grace St Paul's Episcopal Church
2331 E Adams St, Tucson, AZ 85719
Church Office: 520-327-6857