You know, Jesus went into this week knowing what was going to happen. He understood the assignment. I think those around him didn’t fully comprehend what was about to happen at the end of the week. The thing about holy week is to put oneself in the minds of the disciples, who will ask themselves on Friday what in the hell is going on. Some of this is political violence, but most of it is one person being obedient to his death. This is not a week of peace, it’s a week of feeling the chaos that is to come.
Today friends from church gathered to fold palms into crosses and fill Easter eggs in advance of Holy Week activities. Palm Sunday the palms will be received and used to signify Jesus entrance into Jerusalem. The Easter eggs will be hunted on Easter Sunday morning. Thanks to a good crew St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will be ready to go. My friends Easter is hard work but good work.
Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian tradition. It’s the beginning of the season of Lent. During this season it’s a time to repent, reflect, pray, and draw closer to God. I served at my churches Ash Wednesday service as a way to begin this journey to Easter. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust
This display at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee is in support and petitioning for prayers for peace in Ukraine. The country is in need of an end of the conflict that has caused much death and destruction.
Each February the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee holds its annual convention. This year it was held at the Episcopal School of Knoxville. This event is where delegates from its member churches gather to renew friendships, make connections, and conduct business. My wife and I with our friend Tammy and our priest Fr. Drew were in attendance to represent our parish, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga. It was good to get away overnight too. Here are a few snaps of our time there.