Often it is the week before Holy Week that is the hardest on clergy. All of the bulletins have to be done, the music chosen, the coordination with the Choir Director, the support of the Altar Guild, and in my case, the parish play begins tonight as well as pastoral calls. Sally at Revgals has given us a chance to speak to what we long for:
Holy Week is almost upon us, I suspect that ordained or not, other revgal/pals calendars look a bit like mine, FULL, FULL, FULL........
Jesus was great at teaching us to take time out, even in that last week, right up to Maundy Thursday he withdrew, John's gospel tells us he hid! He hid not because he was afraid, but because he knew that he needed physical, mental and spiritual strength to get through...
So faced with a busy week:
1. What restores you physically?
SLEEP! Listening to calming music and sitting in the warmth of an 80 degree day with a cool drink at hand. But I am feeling really off of late. For the past few weeks I have been dealing with an inner ear problem that makes me woozy. The Dr. gave me valium—I thought that went out in the ‘80s! Besides valium has the reverse effect on me anyway. So I guess I am just having to live through it. Lying down makes it worse so I am not getting the rest I need.
2. What strengthens you emotionally/ mentally?
PRAYER. Meditative prayer that allows me to listen to all the clamor within and let it go.
3. What encourages you spiritually?
MUSIC! I wish I had some time to go and just sing to my hearts content. But maybe after Easter.
4. Share a favourite poem or piece of music from the coming week.
My Song is Love Unknown
5.There may be many services for you to attend/ lead over the next week, which one are you most looking forward to and why? If there aren't do you have a favourite day in Holy week if so which one is it?
I love the Maundy Thursday service. I don’t do the Washing of the Feet. Upstate NYers don’t part with their sox in April! So I put an emphasis on the Eucharist and the sign of community. I would like to find a good Easter Vigil to go to. Often the Anglo-Catholic ones are too fru-fru and the more evangelical ones don’t understand the symbolism and often leave important things out. I haven’t tried a Lutheran one yet. It is hard to get my parish out for Maudy Thursday or Good Friday. I sure as heck won’t be able to get them out for an Easter Vigil.
5 comments:
I really understand your thinking about the Easter Vigil problem, there needs to be a good middle place there somewhere!
OK, still smiling about this: "Upstate NYers don’t part with their sox in April!" :)
I relate to every answer. :-)
SO sorry about the inner ear problem (urk) but longing for the 80 degrees you speak of. We are forecast to have snow for Palm Sunday.
I love "My Song is Love Unknown" as well. And Easter Vigil is a must, but my teaching parish doesn't have one. Neither of the 2 Lutheran churches in town have one. Normally the seminary does, but the dean of the chapel is on sabbatical and he usually organizes it. We think the Episcopal church has one and will likely go there.
Blessings to you as Holy Week approaches.
I guess it depends on the Lutherans! I am convicted by your comment on my musical choices, then again, yours is so Anglican -- I would have a hard time singing that tune, but it's a beautiful choir piece.
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