Dear Friends,
Welcome to Holy Week!
Welcome to Holy Week!
As many of you know, it is usually the night that brings the shadows of fear, and the light of day--the promise of new life, in this great big precarious world. You might know that we experienced a break-in at our home a few weeks ago, and ever since then, though it happened in broad daylight, I find falling asleep to be, but a dance between my lived and perceived reality; the tension between what I know and what I fear. What I know is that a thief has been here, has discovered that we have nothing of value to steal, and so will not be back anytime soon. What knows me, and tries to control me is the pitch of darkness that lends cover to the thief in the night that prowls outside my home, seeking to steal, kill and destroy...
As we have journeyed together these last 40 days, with light putting us to bed and the darkness greeting us in early morn, we have perceived that all things are not as they seem. The truth is that our peace lives not in the dark of night or the light of day, but in the light of life which is in all and through all. The real truth and power of the resurrection is that You, my friends, are light!
I invite you to join in A Service of Lights and Shadows, tomorrow evening at 7pm; Maundy Thursday as we practice and receive this truth into our bodies, minds and souls remembering the via dolorosa, the journey Jesus took on his way from life in the light to death in the darkness.
From Steve Garnaas Holmes: "Light"
Darkness isn't a thing.
It doesn't have power or substance.
It's not evil, or bad in any way.
But our fear of it is a thing.
It has solid weight in our hearts.
Wearing darkness' mask,
our fear drives us in ways that are evil.
On this solstice darkness reaches its limit;
the world turns back toward the light.
There is winter yet to come,
but the light has already spoken.
The light shines not to vanquish the darkness,
for the darkness is holy, too,
but to heal our fear,
and to heal the wounds it causes,
and to undo the power of evil.
The world was created in light,
as were you.
From the deep center
you shine with original light,
the light of your very being,
the light of God.
In this world where fear darkens many hearts,
you shine with the light of healing and courage.
God is already turning the world around.
Don't be afraid of the dark. Shine in it.
It doesn't have power or substance.
It's not evil, or bad in any way.
But our fear of it is a thing.
It has solid weight in our hearts.
Wearing darkness' mask,
our fear drives us in ways that are evil.
On this solstice darkness reaches its limit;
the world turns back toward the light.
There is winter yet to come,
but the light has already spoken.
The light shines not to vanquish the darkness,
for the darkness is holy, too,
but to heal our fear,
and to heal the wounds it causes,
and to undo the power of evil.
The world was created in light,
as were you.
From the deep center
you shine with original light,
the light of your very being,
the light of God.
In this world where fear darkens many hearts,
you shine with the light of healing and courage.
God is already turning the world around.
Don't be afraid of the dark. Shine in it.
Spirit is leading the way,
Rev. Jenny Shultz-Thomas
Join us for these upcoming Holy Week Activities:
Maundy Thursday, March 29: We explore the meaning of the last supper and the power of breaking bread in our community. This is a very meaningful service that reminds us of both the sorrow and hope of the week of Jesus’ death. The service will include hand washing as a way to offer love and service to one another. Dinner 6:00 p.m., Vaughan Fellowship Hall: Our friends from St. Paul’s Christian Church will join us for a soup meal provided by CUCC Deacons. Worship 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary: Combined Maundy Thursday Worship with St. Paul’s Christian Church. Join us as we remember the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles.
Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace: Good Friday, March 30, 12:00 p.m. The Social Justice Ministry invites you to join them in walking together with other CUCC Justice groups and CUCC members on the Raleigh leg of the 2018 Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace. "No Ban! No Wall! Sanctuary for all!" We walk in support of Sanctuary Churches, immigrants' rights, farmworkers, workers' rights, black lives, and climate justice. We stand against the death penalty, mass incarceration and detention, the drug war, police brutality, and US militarization at home and abroad. Contact Gary Smith for additional information.
Good Friday Worship Service, March 30, 12:00 p.m. Good Friday will be marked with a service of prayer, reading and reflection on the story of Jesus’ journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to the hill of Calvary. We invite you to join us on this important day in the life of Christ and in our journey towards Easter.
Good Friday Prayer Circle, March 30, 1:00 p.m. This is a simple gathering for all who may wish to hold one another in the light as we journey together through Holy Week.
Gathering in Spirit: An Experiential Lenten Retreat Saturday, March 31, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.CUCC building, grounds, and beyond Join us as we experience Holy Saturday together through meditation, prayer, creative expression, journey, and community. This 2 hour retreat, facilitated by our Diaconate, will provide a series of opportunities that will allow us to draw closer to Spirit as we prepare for Resurrection Sunday.
Easter Sunday, April 1, 10:30 a.m. We will gather as one body, with one voice, and one song as we celebrate with one HOPE the power of resurrection life made possible through the life and love of Christ. Bring a flower for our Easter Sunday resurrection cross, and join us as we worship in resurrection joy!