This past week was the most meaningful and beautiful Holy Week that I have experienced in many years. First of all, it was absolutely wonderful to work with Director of Music Travis Whaley and our Motet Choir. We’ve had good interim music directors over the past few years (looking at you, Jeff Daehn), but to have Travis fully on board, to experience our full choir with some new members, and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beginnings of a brand new children’s choir on Palm Sunday was pure gift. I look forward to working with Travis for several years to come.

Dozens of lay volunteers and staff put in the work to ensure all nine of our Holy Week services were planned in detail and took place reverently and beautifully.  The Motet Choir, the altar guild, all lectors, intercessors, acolytes, and ushers, the fellowship team, all who contributed to our beautiful flowers, all who contributed toward food and help for our Agape Meal – it was a huge group project that produced amazing worship and loving fellowship all week long. We welcomed parishioners and guests to every service with hospitality and care. God was truly worshipped as we moved from the grief of Good Friday to the joy of Easter, marking the return of our Tenebrae service after a long hiatus, the moving drama of Maundy Thursday, and the stark emptiness of Good Friday.

I hope that you tell your friends and neighbors what a wonderful and open-hearted faith community Calvary is. We pushed through the challenges of poor weather, the competing school spring break, and the hassles of construction and parking issues. Persistence is our middle name. And I am grateful.

In the name of our Risen Lord Christ,