My Sisters and Brothers,
My apologies for not being with you this past Sunday, but Covid decided it was not to be. It was very odd for me not to be behind an altar on a Sunday morning. Except when we were closed down for Covid, this is the first time in ten or fifteen years when I knew a day or two ahead that I would not be present. I do plan to be with you this week, but following CDC guidelines, I will be masked and will continue my practice of not receiving the bread and wine until the congregation has done so. Thank you for all the prayers.
A big thank you to Liz and Cade for taking over the Annual Meeting. We have two new Vestry members; Dicky Martin and Rick Waddell who will fill the vacancies of Brenda and Liz who have fulfilled their three-year terms. If you have not already done so, I hope you will take the time to read the reports for the meeting. One thing you will notice is how many people are involved in the ministry of Calvary and how many more are needed. I also need to give a big thank you to Mona for all her last-minute work on the budget and Tammy who was still putting together the Annual Report packets past her normal quitting time on Friday. They can relax some this week.
As we move forward. Ash Wednesday is only three weeks away and we enter the season of Lent. We will actually kick it off on Tuesday, February 21st with our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at 5:30 p.m. I have been told that this draws not just our own members, but many from the community. I hope you will save the date. For Ash Wednesday we will have services at noon and 7:00 p.m. with the imposition of Ashes. If you have any palms left from last year, please bring them this Sunday so they can be burned for use on Ash Wednesday. I will be meeting with the Ashland Area Ministerial Association next Tuesday and will have some idea of community plans for Lenten worship and services. Ours at Calvary will continue our normal Sunday and Wednesday services until Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, we will, weather permitting, begin our service in St. Mary’s Hall with the blessing of palms and then, those who are able will process to the front of the church where we will begin our service of Holy Communion. On Thursday, 7:00 p.m., we will hold our Maundy Thursday service with foot washing, communion, and stripping of the altar in preparation for Good Friday. On Friday evening, Deacon Tina will lead the Good Friday Liturgy. Saturday evening, we will hold our Easter Vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m. and again will be inviting local clergy to take part in the service. Following the service, we will gather in the parish hall and break our Lenten fasts. Everyone is asked to bring a dessert to share, preferably something with chocolate. Sunday morning, we will gather at 10:00 a.m. for our Easter Day service of Holy Communion to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb.
Peace,
Bryant+
