To My Brothers and Sisters at St. Matthew's,

Grace and peace be with you!
        I love how the church season in the Northern Hemisphere follows the natural seasons. Winter and I took a walk this afternoon behind my house and everywhere new leaves are unfurling like velvety waxed flowers in mixtures and shades of golds, reds and light greens where just a month ago the woods seemed barren with nothing but gray twigs. The barren trees awaiting new life corresponded so well with the season of Lent, a time of prayer, doing without, fasting, and preparation for the Hope that is to come. The changes within us as we do those things are almost imperceptible on a daily basis, but the transformation is there just as it is in the woods this day. And we bloom like flowers because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Palm Sunday is like that first absolutely gorgeous day in the spring when all the birds are rejoicing, the buds are swelling, the daffodils are open and the grass is greening. We celebrate! And then comes Holy Week – like April storms it is a humbling and powerful reminder of the harshness of this earthly world and our need for faith. When the light is removed from the sanctuary and the black veil and the crown of thorns is placed over the cross while Psalm 22 is read, we are overwhelmed with sorrow and the reminder of death and darkness without Christ. It is like a killing frost that burns the blossoms on the fruit trees and all the new green leaves and leaves them black, and we sense the unfairness, the loss of beauty, hope, and life. Then in powerful contrast comes Easter Sunday’s proclamation of the Resurrection. We celebrate with songs and flowers and feasting, just as nature around us is celebrating with an abundance of flowers blooming and birds singing. As each Sunday passes after this, the flowers will fade and the leaves will grow, the fruit will appear and the harvest will come. The celebrations will quiet and give us more time to grow, and with God’s help, we will bear fruit for our Lord Jesus Christ.

During Lent, we made banners for the Stations of the Cross and had our service outside on Wednesday and Friday of Holy Week. It felt like God smiled upon us because the weather was beautiful. With dogwoods blooming against a backdrop of blue sky what more could we ask? The service began where the driveways meet in front of the church, the traffic was noisy, and we had to focus hard to close out the distractions of the world. As we moved away from the highway, it was obviously quieter and was like moving into the sanctuary of the Lord. It was a beautiful soul searching service in which all of us had a part. I want to thank everyone who helped with the banner project. I know at times it seemed like we’d never get it done in time but everything fell into place with God’s help.

This year we added the Easter Vigil which we hadn’t done since Carol Ann was with us. The light returns to the Sanctuary in this service. Like the Lessons and Carols service at Christmas there are nine readings but they are followed by a Psalm or Canticle. The readings help us to see God’s vision of salvation for His people through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful spiritual and intellectual preparation for Easter morning.

On Easter Sunday, Father Marquis was with us to celebrate the Eucharist. We had forty people in church! Wow! It was so excellent to see so many of us together at one time to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior. It was indeed a glorious day. Following the service and potluck this Sunday the 7th, Rick Govan will be with us to discuss our ministries in the church. Please be there to discover how you can use your gifts and talents to expand Kingdom of Heaven.

On Sunday the 21st, we will all be going to Camp Columbus in Hixson for the annual Tri-Episcopal Church Outdoor Service and potluck. It may seem a good day to sleep in and skip church, but you’d miss out. It’s a great time to be with other small churches in our diocese to worship and feast together. Maps are available. If you want to camp out by the lake the night before, we have made reservations. There’s swimming and fishing and volleyball and fun to be had as we sit around the campfire.

We will once again be doing the Art Camp the last week of June from 10-3 with a potluck that Friday night. Many hands are needed in this project and any little bit will help. I hope you can be a part of it. Be sure to invite your neighbors and their children.

It’s good to see St. Matthew’s growing. Thanks be to God!
And thank you for your help, prayers and participation.

                Love in Christ,
                        Always, Ellie