Weekly Reflections

As we approach the end of the Easter season, Mo. Laura reflects on the significance of the Ascension, emphasizing the disciples’ astonishment and the assurance it brings of being united with Jesus in the future. Despite the unexpected event, it serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ divinity and the hope it instills for the future.

Amidst preparations for a presentation on Celtic Spirituality, Mo. Laura reflects on the interconnectedness of nature and spirituality, drawing parallels between the growth of Egyptian Walking Onions and the spread of evangelism. Encouraging us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of creation, she emphasizes the constant presence of God and the messages of love and nurture found in the natural world.

Mother Laura expresses gratitude for the efforts put into making Holy Week and Easter worship meaningful, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in parish life. She informs the parish about upcoming events, including a diocesan education day and AED/CPR training, urging participation for community enrichment and potentially life-saving skills.

Mother Laura reflects on the profound significance of Easter, emphasizing the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the anticipation of her own resurrection, expressing joy and enthusiasm for the 50-day celebration ahead. She encourage others to join in the festivities with ringing bells, singing hymns, and shouting “Alleluia” repeatedly.

The Field Guide to Holy Week Worship outlines the customs and arrangements specific to the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Day, highlighting the importance of adapting liturgies to the parish’s customs while considering deeper spiritual currents and safety measures due to COVID. Services throughout the week, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Day, are described with instructions for participation, emphasizing moments of reflection, silence, and joyous celebration of the Resurrection.

Today’s note is brief due to distractions from carpet installers just outside my office. The new carpeting in the church is installed, creating a fresh look just in time for Easter, relieving the Deacon, crucifers, ushers, and myself from navigating the old carpet’s wrinkles and seams.

This Weekly Reflection contains important announcements and updates for the congregation, including the deadline for Easter flower orders, a request for opinions on diocesan reunification, and a call for poll workers in Emmaus precincts. Additionally, it highlights upcoming events, such as the Holy Week schedule and the installation of new carpet in the church.

In this excerpt, Mother Laura reflects on recent global hardships but finds solace in local efforts to combat food insecurity. She highlights the participation of farmers connected to St. Margaret’s/Emmaus in the Lehigh Valley Food System Coalition, emphasizing the importance of community action in addressing societal challenges.

Ash Wednesday worshipers gather worldwide, bearing diverse life experiences symbolized by the ashes on their foreheads, each individual reflecting on personal vulnerabilities and gratitude amidst the ancient reminder of mortality. As they embark on the Lenten journey, they are called to recognize the shared humanity, fragility, and resilience in themselves and others, finding glimpses of God’s presence in the faces of fellow travelers along life’s paths.

In times of despair, reflecting on the state of the world can be overwhelming, but it’s important to channel those feelings into positive action, no matter how small, inspired by the motto of the Episcopal women’s order Daughters of the King. This Lent, instead of being discouraged, let’s consider how even the smallest efforts can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, guided by the desire to serve and improve the world in the name of Christ.