Dear Church Family,
We've all been talking about how different this Easter will seem compared to years past. For some of us it seems strange to not attend church on Easter morning. It is the one Sunday in the year that usually has the most attendance and we look forward to beautiful music, inspirational message and loving people. Last year a group of ladies wearing big hats graced our church. I was excited to see the beautifully decorated Easter Bonnets and their cheerful smiles in our midst. At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We also celebrate Spring and arrival of new blossoms and birth that have appeared after a time of hibernation. This Easter will be different...we are experiencing a physical separation, it is though we are still waiting for our Spring and Resurrection from the conditions in the world. They are happening. They are not yet visible.
I remember the story that Rev. Vi Davis shared about a winter that she was experiencing sadness and depression while attending seminary at Unity Village. She reported that one day she was feeling particularly down and sat in Unity's renowned rose garden searching for solace. She was surrounded by barren rose bushes full of thorny sticks. There wasn't anything that appeared remotely solacing in those dead thorny sticks. However, in that moment she remembered the beauty and majesty of that rose garden when it is in full bloom. It is a place of inspiration, buzzing with life from the bees and a rich floral scent, and people come from all over the world to experience this beautiful space.
She realized that within the appearance of death and barrenness, lived the promise of rebirth. Magnificent rebirth. This brought her comfort because she knew that just like the rose that was awaiting to come forth in the barren rose bush, so was the promise of God's light and magnificent that would come again through her. Like all season in our life, "this, too, shall pass."
So I invite you to bring the miracle and magnificence of Easter through your thoughts and actions - giving thanks for all that blesses you, connecting to others and reminding them that they are important to you, offering service to others through prayer, action, donations, and remembering that what appears to be isolating or hibernating is preparing to bloom in a big a wondrous way.
We will host an Easter gathering on Zoom this Sunday morning at 10 AM. This won't be our usual worship experience - that has already been taped and will be available to view on Easter Sunday morning. The gathering on Zoom (a web conferencing platform) will offer prayer, a short lesson, and sharing for those who want that opportunity. You need to register to join us. We do this to prevent any unwanted interference. You can register at ucec@unityofelcajon.org. We would like to offer this more consistently - and this is a trial run. We ask for your grace and patience as we all attempt these new attempts at incorporating digital connection in our lives.
We affirm the miracle of Easter in our lives. We affirm that God's Good is showing up everywhere. Giving thanks for you. Happy Easter.
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert