This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I pray that you are well. I have been thinking a lot about celebrating the 50 days of Easter. In the ancient church, this long celebration must have seemed pretty strange. Why were these crazy Christians celebrating in the midst of persecution? I wonder what the Romans thought: "What could they possibly have to celebrate?"

Jesus spent a good portion of his ministry reminding people to 1) "not be afraid," and 2) to practice the actions of love through the breaking of bread together, prayers, joy, and loving one's neighbor as oneself. Jesus knew that joy, not hate, would strengthen the church. That love, not anger, would build the body up, and that love and determination, not fear and loathing, would bring new people to the faith. We celebrate because we know this to be true.

I invite you to come out to our parish dance this weekend. We will have a D.J taking requests for all types of music. We will have dancing, food, drink and more. There also will be tons of opportunities to donate to our amazing pilgrimage, and there will be time to catch up with old friends. Through it all there will be a chance to practice the joy of Easter.

Come on out to Parish Prom. See our friend, The Rev. Sally Johnston, who will be with us this weekend, attending the prom and prepping with the adults taking part in our pilgrimage, and then preaching at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday. Come and play. Come and worship. Come and celebrate. Come and practice Easter.

In Christ,

Mitch+