Letter from Lindy April 4 Easter Sunday

Pilgrims,
This week, this morning, has been full. Full of people. I have seen more of you (in person, consecutively) throughout the past four days, especially today, than I have throughout what seems like the entire year. And, I have loved each connection. All the while having to guard against leaping up and hugging each of you.

This week has helped me catch a glimpse of our future….hopefully. When we can gather together to talk, to eat, to worship, to be church. As grateful as I am for the ways we have sustained being beloved community throughout the pandemic, I long for us to find our way back together.

As I have held that word “back” in prayer, I find in this holiest of weeks, my resistance to it. Not only do I not think it is possible to go backwards from where we stand today (I pray not, for what would we go back to?)--no matter how much our memory muscle might trick us into believing. I also don’t think returning is God’s hope for God’s people.

I was grateful to read Peter Marty’s, (Editor/Publisher for The Christian Century) Living Word reflection where he reminds us that God’s breath is always prompting the faithful forward--into the future. Into the future with confidence. With confidence because the future is always where God will not only meet us, but guide us along the way. This is our resurrection promise.

The thing is we don’t know what the future will look like, feel like. There is inherent risk in stepping out in faith. We want safety nets, guard rails, whatever helps us dip our toes in before we wade forward, often looking back to the safety and security of the shore back there. Whether it's returning to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid or lingering in the garden, the angels shake us from our desire to cling and prompt us to look beyond, for that is where God will always be waiting, in anticipation, to be with us. God Incarnate. Emmanuel.

The stations are set on our campus for you to journey through the fateful events of this Holy Week. The words of scripture are juxtaposed with the many reckonings of 2020/2021. Before resurrection, we must confront the reality of death all around us. For God’s Word to be living, we must also see it in our daily movements. I pray you take the time to walk the stations. There are plenty of Good Friday slots for you to join.

And then I pray, we come together on Sunday as a resurrection people.

Pastor Lindy