I returned from a Clergy Conference two weeks ago that turned out to be most refreshing: Bishop Jennifer’s theme was rest and renewal. I know rest is on her mind as she prepares for her sabbatical. She also charged us to think about how we can encourage times and opportunities for rest for all of us—times and opportunities that are scheduled, anticipated, savored and shared.

I know from my own experience how difficult it is to set aside a time each week and then honor that time as rest time no matter what. The secular world no longer places any limits on any activity, and people are called to work, practice, compete, school at any hour on any day. It almost feels like a crime to turn off the phone and computer and just be—with people, in nature, with God.

Our current way of living is a stark contrast to the mandate of Sabbath preserved by Jews. For many Jews, the weekly Sabbath is eagerly anticipated. It is an incredible luxury to set aside a whole 24 hours to rest. The beauty is that it is a luxury that belongs to all. The Hebrew Bible mandates not only that the rich and successful and powerful get to rest, but even slaves and working animals, all creation, are to rest one day out of every seven. It is not easy to do this, which is perhaps why one of the Ten Commandments is for taking Sabbath rest.

I wonder if we could begin to reclaim rest—scheduled rest—as an anticipated and cherished part of our week, if as God’s children we would allow ourselves such a luxury. Part of the challenge, I think, is to move from a “freedom from” mentality to a “freedom to” mentality. “Freedom from” emphasizes the absence of structures, rules, expectations and formal schedules. That is perhaps the most familiar language of freedom—I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.

The funny thing is that “freedom from” is actually very limited, and “freedom to,” which involves established limitations or definite choices, is more typically the way to experience the deeper, richer, and more sustained aspects of human life. You can’t master one musical instrument until you limit your freedom and commit to lessons, practices, and performance…but when you have allowed that limitation to your time, you will gain the mastery of an instrument, and have the freedom to create beautiful music. The same concept applies to allowing limits in our lives so that we take the time and energy needed to nurture our most meaningful relationships. Claiming a Sabbath might limit what we do on a Sunday, but gives the freedom to savor time and nurture our relationships with God, with the people in our lives, and with creation.

As we move into the solemn days of Holy Week—days that beg for quiet, stillness, reflection, and prayer—amidst the hyperactivity of spring and the coming of the end of the church year and school year, I hope we can take the challenge to mark time for rest and restoration, beginning with immersing ourselves in these High Holy Days of the Christian faith: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday—and from there our weekly celebration of Easter, which is the meaning of each Sunday Eucharist, which is a feast of the Resurrection. May we lean into a practice protecting Sabbath time as a sacred bubble—and by doing so, be truly counter-cultural, truly claim to be in the world, but not of the world.

Jen+

Participating in Holy Week

If your Lenten practices included confession and you have scraps of paper to burn, we will burn these in the First Light, the fire that will be lit to begin the Vigil on Saturday. If your Lenten practices included naming gratitude and blessings, we will burn them and add the ashes to a flower bed with new flowers. Bring the paper scraps to the Vigil or leave them at the office and we will add them to the fire.

Bring bells and noisemakers to the Vigil – not only will we have the First Light, be we will mark the moment with as much ringing and sounding as possible.

These are the High Holy Days of the Christianity, the keystone of our faith. Please make time to walk through this Holy Week at services on Maundy Thursday (6:00pm), Good Friday (6:00 pm), Holy Saturday (10:00 am), and Easter Vigil (8:30 pm) remembering, reliving, and recommitting.

Peace to you and yours,

Jen+

Tuesday 4:30 p.m. In-Person & 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Studies & Lenten Readings

Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for anyone who would like to stop in and visit. You are always invited to make an appointment for a time convenient for you. Mondays are her Sabbath day.

Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, April 9, led by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m., followed by egg hunt and festive brunch.

You can stream the service via St. Andrew’s Facebook Page. Click on this link to view the Live Stream. We will start the Live Stream at 10:10 a.m.

Click here for the service booklet for Holy Week.

Click here for the service booklet for April 9.

TRIDUUM SERVICES SCHEDULE

Holy Thursday-6:00 p.m., Good Friday-6:00 p.m., Holy Saturday Morning-10:00 a.m., Easter Vigil Saturday-8:30 p.m., Easter Sunday-10:15 a.m.

EASTER BRUNCHEON PITCH-IN AND EGG HUNT

Hallelujahs will ring out as we continue to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection following a joyous Easter service with our traditional Easter egg hunt for the children and a pitch-in brunch at Coffee Hour. The F & F crew will be serving up bubbly mimosas and will also provide a main course (ham). Everyone else, please bring your favorite/best brunch dish to share and filled Easter eggs to hide for the hunt!

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY – 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL & 6:30 P.M. VIA ZOOM

On March 14 we began discussing Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s The Last Week. This book details Jesus’ life from his triumphal ride into Jerusalem to the cross, and will be excellent preparation for the events of Holy Week. On April 11 the groups will discuss Chapter 4. The Zoom link can be found on the St. Andrew’s website at the very bottom of the last page.

PRAYER LIST

We ask that you review those names listed on the Ongoing Prayer List and let us know of any additions, deletions, or updates. We will be reviewing this quarterly moving forward.

SAFE CHURCH COURSES FOR VESTRY

This is just a reminder for the Vestry leaders and members to complete their Safe Church Courses by April 12. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Renee in the office and she can help you with those.

LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS

The Diocese is offering training for people to become Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV). This training licenses you to take the blessed sacrament to those who cannot come to church, including residents of The Waters. It is a wonderful way to be church! Trainings are on June 17 and September 7. Please consider being a LEV! Contact the Rev. Mary Taflinger at taflinger@indiodio.org with questions. Register here.

DEVOTIONALS

Forward Movement Day by Day devotionals are available in the Narthex. They are an easy way to take on a Lenten practice, reading a reflection and a prayer each day.

NEW ZOOM LINK

The new link can be found on the St. Andrew’s website at the bottom of the last page. Click on the Zoom icon to join as an attendee.

COMMUNION AT THE WATERS

Once a month Sunday services have resumed at The Waters. The next service will be Easter Sunday, April 9 at 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. If you’d like to help with this ministry in any way, please contact Rev. Jen or Renee. All are welcome to attend!

ON-GOING COVID PROTOCOL

We continue to respond to both our county’s current CDC designation and to the current variant. Masking is optional. Those who serve bread and wine will mask so that anyone who comes to the altar can feel secure. Decisions on COVID policy have moved from the Reconvening Committee to Rev. Jen and the Wardens.

We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. The meditations are written by persons from Gobin UMC and Beech Grove UMC. They will be in the newsletter each week and go from Wednesday to Tuesday, except for Sunday. Whether you enjoy these every day or as the Spirit moves you, may this resource continue to bring you spiritual food for the journey. Blessings!

Click here to view the readings and accompanying links.

Your prayers are asked for: