Dear Friends,
In the spirit of the joy of Eastertide, I come bearing tidings of joy!
I’ve thought a lot about Courtney’s sermon from last Sunday; she quoted Barbara Harris, of blessed memory and a fierce Episcopal Bishop, who said that we are an “Easter People moving through a Good Friday world.”
We’re used to talking about “God sightings” here at All Saints; in other words, where have we seen or experienced God and the Holy lately? This past week, I’ve been wondering and looking and asking: Where have we seen signs of resurrection in this Good Friday world? For we feel keenly right now that our world is dwelling in Good Friday—perhaps it always is—but we Easter people are alert to rumors of resurrection, tend to new life where it arises, and proclaim, “Alleluia!” even at the grave.
So, two signs of resurrection this week:
We had a gorgeous Ravenswood Run last Sunday; you can read the note of thanks from Lori Gee in the newsletter below. Spring put on her show, and the neighborhood was arrayed in tulips and daffodils and blooming trees, as over 2,500 people gathered to run, and well over 40 of you volunteered to help make it a success and just about as many ran in the race! The energy in the air was joyful, and the neighborhood was transformed for a morning. Thank you for supporting this race that raises money and awareness for our food pantry, started over 30 years ago on the front steps of this parish with a handful of people handing our a few bags of groceries. Amazing.
Our beloved friend Padre Bayron from Cuernevaca, Mexico is in the country and will be with us all weekend, including our services on Sunday. Bayron is a model of selfless ministry, serving multiple parishes, which are open and affirming of all people, and his deep joy and faith are palpable and infectious. You can read more about Bayron, our friendship with him, and his ministry in the newsletter below.
Wendell Berry has a great poem “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” that offers ways to live as Easter people in a Good Friday world, and it ends with a these great lines: “Be like the fox / who makes more tracks than necessary, / some in the wrong direction. / Practice resurrection.”
Practice resurrection indeed. Hallelujah, Anyhow!
See you in church!
Faithfully, Suzanne+