Holy Week Momentum

It's Wednesday, and that means the whole Big Thing is now in motion.

For anyone involved in any Christian Church at all, regardless of denomination, size or flavour, this is the week where everything leads up to Sunday morning in a way that just can't compare to any other.

For the past several years at Highview (COVID not withstanding) we have told the story of Jesus' death and resurrection through a combination of visual imagery, gospel narration, and the music of U2.

It's appropriately called "In the Name of Love."

One of the perks for me, in my current role at Highview, is that I get to volunteer for stuff I couldn't have given energy to before. That's why today, Wednesday, feels like the start of things. I've been offering a bit of creative direction and stage management for the cast and crew. Mostly just serving as assistant for Derek Goupil, our creative and talented music director, who leads us so humbly and tirelessly.

And tonight -- it's dress rehearsal!!

I say all this not just because I hope you might drop in to check it out - which I do. But because it's just so cool when people can get together, bring forward their talent, and submit to one another as a Team, all because they truly do believe in the story.

I absolutely LOVE working with these people! They are singing and playing and teching straight from the heart. Their lives reflect the Love they portray. They keep on in their own spiritual formation journeys, and are consistent in character both onstage and off, at the sound/light boards or not.

And, just because it's an advantage of being part of a 'small' church, I can personally vouch for this. I know these people when they aren't 'performing.'

So there's my shout out to a stellar group of folks who, as of tonight, will give of themselves to tell the Jesus' story.

And as an added benefit, we will be talking up a collection to support sustainable housing through LYNC Loving Your Neighbour Communities. Check it out at https://lyncommunities.com

Did Jesus Like Chocolate?

I'm making a little video to send to the kids at Hot Springs for Easter.

I got the idea in January, that perhaps, to help keep the connections strong while I'm away, I might send a little message along, once a month. Last month's theme was Valentine's. This month, obviously, it's Easter.

Thought I'd show them some of the traditions we do with children, especially, here in Canada, since Easter isn't on the national radar of celebrations in Thailand. No school days off, nothing really in the stores. No one's suddenly pulling out all the pastels from their closets.

Of course, Christians celebrate Easter big time, especially on Resurrection Morning. But since it's not even 'Spring' in that part of the world, there's no hint of marking the reawakening of the earth, new growth; nothing from the Euro-pagan background much of our culture's traditions and rituals are actually based on.

I've known this for a while, of course. How the Christian story of Jesus' death and resurrection has become associated with pagan symbols of eggs and chicks and bunnies. How chocolate came into the rather recently, and hey, who can complain about that?

I've known it for a while, but it wasn't until I was trying to explain all this - in Thai no less - that I remembered how culturally integrated and maybe doctrinally blurred my core beliefs can become if I'm not careful.

To be clear, I'm not against chocolate. Or bunnies, or egg hunts. I welcome Spring for Spring's sake with joy, and have no problem connecting new life with Resurrected Life. So I'm not suggesting we abandon any of the 'fun' parts of the season. And may I be so bold to say that if there was such a thing as chocolate in Jesus' time, He would have loved it. Because, come on. Chocolate.

So no downers here. It's just that I've found the exercise of explaining this cross-culturally to be a very good reminder to myself to be mindful of what I'm doing and why. To be careful in passing down the traditions to my grandchildren, all of them, so as to make these distinctions with them. To make the most important things most important.

Now, in all this talk about Easter and Spring, here we are today on a Friday expecting another last-blast of snowy weather. Sigh. I do want to pull out the pastels from my close. But today I just feel cold, and so I've put on the sweater and wrapped myself in a big warm scarf. Settling in here for some good work to finish off the week.

So, onward into the day, friends.
Spring will eventually get here.
And however you mark it, I trust it will be full of new energy and life for you.

And...if you are interested in experiencing the Christian story of Easter in a fresh and creative way...

Check out "In the Name of Love" at Highview Community Church on Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29 at 7:30.

The retelling of the story incorporating the music of U2.
Visually compelling backdrops on screen.
Powerful presentation of the music.
No cost, but a collection for supportive housing in New Hamburg will be taken.
No tickets, but please go to www.hcckw.ca to reserve your spot.