CONNECT! Monthly Newsletter for May 2021

May 2021

This Easter we were so grateful to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord both in person and via livestream, and both outdoors and inside in our beautiful Nave. God is Good! Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!

We celebrated

outdoors ...

In the Nave ...

... and online,

via livestream!

We had the traditional incense during the Easter Vigil

on Saturday night ...

... and All Saints kids even got an

Easter goodie bag

at their house,

complete with

Easter eggs!

Easter Traditions

Besides worship, what else did we keep in a year when the world seemed so different? Easter eggs for the kids - or us? Chocolate bunnies? Hot cross buns? A special meal or lunch with family? Let us give thanks that God loves us and gave His Son for us - and that these things can remind us of that!

Reflections on Polish Easter Traditions

by Edyta Cousens, Communications Assistant

Not all traditions can stand the test of time or geographical distance, but here are a few Polish traditions I grew up with, that I try to nurture and pass on to my kids.

Blessing of Easter Food – Our basket may look rather humble but it is a beloved and special custom I cannot imagine Easter without. The Blessings take place on Holy Saturday - breaking the great silence of Good Friday. The ritual always fills my heart with joy and the hope of the Resurrection (as well as yummy food that will soon fill the table!) Typically it would take place in front of the Church, giving families opportunity for a gorgeous walk among spring blooms and enjoying prayers in the open air. Sometimes the best way to pray is to simply take a deep breath in! This year we did the Blessing at home, but after grace and a sprinkle of the Holy water, everything tasted so much better!

Renewal of Baptismal Promises – The lighting of the Paschal candle and renewal of our Baptismal vows is an integral part of any Easter Vigil. However, I try to make it relevant to my kids. It’s a great time to open their “treasure chests” and review the souvenirs of their Baptisms, when they were lovingly adopted by God into the family of Christ. When I was a kid, I used to light the actual candle from my Baptism at the Great Vigil — and I feared what would happen if it finally ran out of wax! Sadly, I don’t have my own candle anymore, but I made sure my kids’ candles were robust enough to brighten the darkness of many more Easters to come.

Wet Monday! – As a young girl in Poland I rather dreaded this tradition, as the game of splashing water at each other with buckets and water guns would very quickly get out of hand. It really was no fun to be drenched to skin, when leaving the house on some errand or even to walk to Church! However, it’s one of those customs that’s hard to forget. My kids love a good splashing no matter when. Well, what better day to choose than Easter Monday in remembrance of the waters of Baptism, in which we are truly born into new life in Christ!

Did you miss the April issue? We celebrated Mother Brit's new call, reviewed a book on Christian parenting, saw the outdoor Stations of the Cross, welcomed new members - and a new staff member - and more!

Previous issues of the Connect! celebrating God's faithfulness to us and work among us are available on the website HERE.

Please join us in continuing to celebrate the good news of God working in our midst - ideas for the Connect newsletter are always welcome! You may submit possible topics, photos, or short (1 - 3 paragraph) articles to Communications Manager Teri Ballou.

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