the word: The Liturgical Reason Why
by AJ Buckley
Holy Week is full of rich symbols and liturgies. For those who are less familiar with the traditions, it can be overwhelming.
On Thursday, we wash each other’s feet as a reminder of our servant leadership. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, and so we do, too. It’s an act of humbling ourselves before God and one another.
On Friday, you’ll be invited to pray by a cross. It is traditional to bow in prayer and put your hand on the cross. There’s something about touching the wood of the cross that can be transformational.
Holy Saturday, we will have the Easter Vigil which is chock full of symbols! It is my favorite service of the year. We start in dark and kindle a new fire with which we light the Paschal candle. The Paschal candle is a symbol of Jesus’ presence. The fire itself is a symbol of life, but it’s also unruly, as we know all too well here in Oregon with the prevalence of forest fires each summer.
If you were with us on Palm Sunday, you may have wondered why I sprayed y’all with water.
I mean, yes, it’s fun, but also, it’s another symbol.
The act of spraying y’all with water is called “asperges.” It is done on Palm Sunday, and often during the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. It’s a sign of life, but it’s also a tie to the waters of our Baptism.
Then, of course, there’s the incense which is another symbol of prayer and blessing. Psalm 141:2 proclaims “let my prayer rise before You like incense.” So as the smoke rises, it is a way to see our prayers rising to God.
I invite you all into this Holy Space of contemplation, of mourning and lamenting, rejoicing and praising as we proceed through Holy Week.
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Garden Plants for Chapel
After two years on Zoom we will be creating a garden in the chapel at Saint David’s for the overnight watch from the end of the Maundy Thursday service until Good Friday. Please look around your house and garden for potted plants big and small, flowering or greenery, that you can bring to the chapel to create a space for prayer and contemplation. Bring plants to the chapel on Wednesday, April 13th between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. Plan to pick up your plants on Friday morning. Watching with Christ--in remembering that he went with his disciples to the garden to pray after the Last Supper, we watch with him through the night.
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Overnight Vigil in the Garden
Keep vigil in the Chapel garden from
8pm Maundy Thursday, April 14th
to
8am Good Friday, April 15th
Please sign up for one hour or more so we can have at least two people per hour. Please feel free to come without signing up. The Chapel will be open all night.
Online sign up available at tinyurl.com/2p8fs5pr. Physical sign up available on the cork board outside the office.
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Maundy Thursday foot washing at Sts. Peter and Paul with our houseless neighbors
Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church on SE 82nd and Ash has a number of houseless neighbors living around their church. The church will offer foot washing in their sanctuary for their houseless neighbors on Maundy Thursday from 4pm-6pm. (The service at Saint David's begins at 7pm.) They would love to have some more folks who would like the blessing of helping.
If you are interested, email Barbara Brecht.
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Acolytes wanted for Easter Sunday
Meet in the Narthex at 9:45am on Sunday, April 17th
Elementary, Middle, and High School-aged kids are invited to participate in the Easter Service as an acolyte! We still need: Crucifer (cross bearer), 2 Torch Bearers, Candle Lighters
Acolytes need to arrive at church by 9:45 am to get ready.
Questions? Email Cleo at kids@saintdavidpdx.org
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Call for Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Having grown up in the Episcopal church where men did all the ushering, vestry work and assisting at the altar, I jumped at the chance around 15 years ago to be trained as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. And today I still consider each time I do it as a spiritual gift. It is my deep desire that others experience that unique gift. You, too, can be part of this (altar) party! I guarantee that it will be a special experience for you. Our fabulous St. David’s clergy is a great group of people to work with, ever forgiving of the imperfect. ~Madeline Moore
If you have even a tiny inkling that you would like to explore this opportunity, please contact Madeline Moore at 503-502-0405 or speak to Deacon Tracy.
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Choir!
When: Wednesdays at 6:30pm
Where: Saint David’s Parish Hall
Who: Everybody!
Yes, everybody.
You just need to come, willing to make some joyful noise with us!
Please bring your proof of vaccination to the first choir night you attend, and of course, remain masked while you are in the building.
Questions?
Br. Finn can be reached by email at music@saintdavidpdx.org
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Say Their Names
Friday from 12noon to 12:08.46
Weather Permitting
We will gather as a community committed to racial justice and hear their names and ring the bell to honor each beloved person who was killed.
Please gather near the church steps by 11:55am.
We continue to practice compassionate distancing so please be prepared to wear a mask and stay at least 6ft from your neighbor.
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The hybrid worship team needs your help
If you are able to join the team that makes Sunday hybrid worship happen, please email Saint David's tech team:
techsaintdavids@gmail.com
We have need for folks helping from home and from church. No experience necessary.
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June 5th is Pentecost!
And there will be baptisms!
AJ and Dennis will be holding some sort of baptism preparation leading up to Pentecost, still to be determined by those who are interested.
If you are interested or just have questions please email AJ at aj@saintdavidpdx.org
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Our Red Wagon Ministry Needs You!
If your heart is moved and you would like to help us serve our unhoused neighbors in ways that they find loving and support, please email office@saintdavidpdx.org . Please also consider an item donation through Amazon or a monetary donation through the church. (Please remember to include a note indicating the reason for your donation.)
Email Cass at cassandracole90@gmail.com to arrange drop off.
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Stations of the Cross
Good Friday (April 15) at 3:00 pm
At 3:00 pm on Good Friday (April 15) in the main sanctuary we'll walk the Way of the Cross together with the fourteen stations, which recollect moments from the path Jesus walked from persecution to death. For each of these stations, members of our community will share brief meditations or reflections in visual art, spoken word, or song.
These can be very simple! A brief reflection on what the station means to you, a personal story that connects with it, a poem, an image, an action that engages us as participants. You are of course welcome to use the text from the Book of Occasional Services or other texts of deep meaning to you.
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Help Needed for
Easter Egg Hunt
I need help hiding the eggs right before or during Easter Sunday service in front of the church.
Email Cleo at kids@saintdavidpdx.org or just show up!
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St. David's mask mandate lifted
At their April 10 meeting, St. David's vestry voted to lift our mask mandate. While we strongly encourage you to keep your mask on while at services and other church events, masking is now optional at St. David's.
This was not an easy discussion or decision, but ultimately: We trust the CDC, we trust our governor, we trust Bishop Akiyama, and we trust you. Should COVID-19 numbers (or other factors affecting community health) change, we will revisit this decision.
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Have an announcement for the eNotes or the bulletin?
Submit your announcement here!
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Social Justice Actions at Saint David’s
The Saint David’s Justice and Mercy Team is dedicated to planning and implementing Saint David’s social justice actions. Programs are presently in place, and there is opportunity to plan for the future.
Please join the Team for its first meeting rescheduled to Sunday, April 24 at 11:10 am. Everyone interested in becoming involved in Saint. David’s social justice actions is invited to attend. Contact Kari Stanley at karistan51@gmail.com or just come!
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Ally Conversations Workshop
A coalition of faith congregations is bringing David Campt and The Dialogue Company to Portland on April 21-23. The purpose of the workshops is to encourage and inspire people to have constructive conversations about race and to give the tools to do so. The Dialogue Company is committed to build the capacity of people, organizations and communities to defuse racism by engaging in positive and inclusive dialogue and using non-violent communication of listening, story telling and compassion.
The April 21-23 sessions are in person at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 NE Hancock.
For further information and also to inquire about financial assistance to attend the workshops, please contact Madeline Moore, member of the Diocesan Racial Justice Working Group at diocerjwg@gmail.com.
For ticket purchase, please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/westminster-ally-conversation-toolkit-workshop-tickets-276159258777
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Sunday Hybrid Church at 10am
Join us in-person or on Zoom!
All are welcome!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/851443254?pwd=dkVDYmFtQytUbkxLaXY2RlQvaDltQT09
Meeting ID: 851 443 254
Passcode: 137843
Computer troubles stopping you from participating in Sunday's zervice?
Contact office@saintdavidpdx.org for the full invitation so you can call in on your phone to participate!
The sermon will eventually be available on the Saint David's YouTube page . Previous sermons are available as well.
Here is this week's virtual bulletin.
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In-Person Godly Play
Days: Every Sunday
Time: During 10:00 am service
Where: Godly Play Classroom
Kids ages 3-11 years old are invited to gather for a Godly Play lesson every Sunday at the church during the 10:00 am service.
Masks must be worn by all in attendance.
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