On the evening of Easter Vigil, the warm light in St. John’s sanctuary enveloped our gathered Body and focused our eyes in a new way. All of our senses perked up: we heard Patrick bellow from the podium – “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up. . . “; we smiled as the young Israelites, dressed in bright colors and reflecting the diversity of Area Ministry, complained (even growled!) to Moses, and a Trinity of choir members instructed him from across the room; we looked up to see ten year old Jason-Moses extend his staff from the altar, and felt the wind on our faces as streamers of red and white fabric protected the people of Israel; we smelled the scent of jasmine waft in from the garden carried on a sea of blue and green silk, waved by parishioners from all four of our churches. This red sea of blue streamers, surrounding the baptismal font, challenged us to imagine a solution, allowing God to make a “way out of no way”.
Then, singing and dance. Tambourine in hand, Ariana and Elise led the youth through the sea (beyond the chariot remains of the sad Egyptians) singing in Hebrew – “Ashira l’Adonai, ki gaoh ga ah — I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously!” With their bodies and voices, these children modeled courage for us, and possibility. We saw ourselves in them, in the sea, even in the Egyptians. By embodying the Holy Story of the Exodus, we took the risk of imagination and of action. We joined together with members of other communities, other cultures, other generations, reaching beyond boundaries and communicating deep understandings. What a blessing, and a physical memory to bear future fruits of mission.
This Wednesday, on May 12, At Holy Innocent’s we will gather our Body together again for our monthly Intergenerational Potluck. In the spirit of creativity from this Easter Vigil Experience, we will walk through our neighborhood, engaging our senses. We will smell the smells, behold the colors, touch the flowers, and exchange the laughter. When we return to the fellowship hall, we will capture these impressions by creating a painted paper “mural” of our barrio – the area that surrounds our lovely church building, full of colorful houses, festive shops and cafes, vegetable markets, even murals. When we hang our masterpiece on the wall downstairs, it will remind us to keep widening our perspective to include other people, places, sounds, and tastes. It will remind us that God continues to call us in story, in music, and in the faces of our neighbors.
On behalf of our courageous youth, I invite you to join us on Wednesday night. Come eat “Sundaes on Wednesday”, and explore and create with us. It will change your perspective!
In Christ’s Love,
Joyce