Dear Friends and Parishioners,

As we approach Holy Week the powers of darkness, division and destruction are on the march. Nations are mired in mutual suspicion and conflict. Anxiety and fear undergird the collective psyche. Even the church is in a state of unrest and seems to be endlessly distracted from its mission. It takes an incredible level of faith (some would say naïveté) to believe that our world is salvageable. And yet we hold on to the idea that although we may have our doubts, God has not given up on us. In strange and unexpected quarters there is a light coming into this world that the darkness cannot overwhelm.

Coming from our forgotten backcountry, the rejected one steps into the center of our world with an opportunity for revolutionary transformation. Initially we cheer the arrival of the light, until we come to suspect the threat it poses to our own darkness. Like everyone else, we conspire to extinguish the light in order to comfort our troubled conscience. The divine irony of our salvation then becomes clear. As Joseph said to his brothers who had sold him into slavery, “You meant it for ill but God meant it for good.” Even our rejection of the truth, even Judas’ betrayal conspires to work the will of God for the ultimate salvation of the world. Though we may still suffer the consequences of history and justice, we allow ourselves the privilege of an eschatological perspective. That is, one day the whole creation will be redeemed and made new. This divine drama and divine perspective of redemption is what we participate in through our Holy Week liturgies.

Other institutions and companies offer products to make you look and feel better. Entertainers may offer to distract you with beauty, creativity or nostalgia. The Church does not offer a product. The Church offers you the opportunity to come into a life-changing encounter with the Word and Sacraments of God. Offered in the context of the Divine Liturgy, our entire being is caught up in the divine drama, which exposes us for who we really are and offers new ways to really be alive in this life.

This Holy Week, I invite you to take a step out of your daily routine, a routine marked by constant threats and anxieties, and enter a realm that invites you to view your world from a new perspective. Of course we hope to see you at Easter, but Easter becomes so much more meaningful when you have drenched your soul in the sacred liturgies of Holy Week.
Faithfully,

The Rev. Steven J. Yagerman

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HOLY WEEK AT ALL SAINTS

Holy Week--seven days that form a week like no other in the church’s calendar. Its particular services measure time, and yet they are meant to take us beyond time and into the drama of Jesus’ last week as a human, his last words of ministry to the people around him, his death and his resurrection. It is a week full of contrasts: the acclamation of crowds and deep loneliness at night in a garden, warm community and yet betrayal by one in the group, the utter despair of Good Friday and the joy of Easter. The week is a journey, a time when we are meant to examine and celebrate the mysteries of our redemption. The more you can participate in this holy week, by attending worship and participating in the services, the richer the rewards.

This year, Holy Week begins on March 20, Palm Sunday. The story begins in triumph...

PALM SUNDAY

The procession with palms at the start of the 11am service reenacts Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but the mood soon turns somber as readers narrate the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial and execution. This service, which dates back to the 4th century, captures both the celebration and sadness that mark the rest of the week.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MARCH 21 AND 22

A meditation period begins at 8 am, followed by Morning Prayer and Eucharist at 8:15.

AGAPE SUPPER, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

The day begins with Meditation at 8am and Morning Prayer and Eucharist at 8:15. But at 6:30pm parishioners are invited to gather for a simple meal to comemmorate the meal Jesus shared with his disciples the evening before his death. The meal includes Eucharist at the table.

MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 24

The name comes from mandatum, a Latin word for commandment, based on Jesus’ last injunction to his disciples: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another even as I have loved you....” (John 13:34). Jesus demonstrated this love by washing the disciples’ feet, an act repeated by clergy and parishioners each year since the 7th century. During this 7pm service enough bread and wine are consecrated for use on Good Friday (when there is no Eucharist celebration but communion is still offered). At the end of this dramatic service, the altar is stripped of all decorations in preparation for Good Friday.

GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 25

The Good Friday Liturgy that begins at noon represents the most solemn part of Holy Week. The service, wrapped in periods of silence, includes another reading of the Passion of Jesus, as well as Collects and sermons (3) particular to this time. The words direct us to reflect on the way we experience Good Fridays--brokeness, sadness, and grief--in our own lives. Later in the service a cross is brought to the altar so that parishioners may venerate it individually. The service ends with Communion. Stations of the Cross will be offered at 6:30pm.

EASTER VIGIL, MARCH 26

This service, at 8pm, is the first celebration of Christ’s resurrection. It begins in darkness, with the lighting of the new Paschal candle, and of candles distributed to parishioners. Five readings follow, all of them stories of God’s love for his people, and we are reminded of our baptisms into the body of Christ. With that comes the first glorious acclamation of Easter, as light floods the church, altar decorations and flowers reappear, and the grayness of Holy Week is banished for another year.

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Let’s celebrate! Holy Eucharist at 9am and a Festive Choral Eucharist at 11am.

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Happy Birthday Community Meal!

Last week our Church celebrated the one-year anniversary of what has come to be known as our Community Meal. It is really a community meal in at least two ways. It serves a portion of our community that Christ enjoins us to serve, i.e., the poor and needy. Second, it has arisen out of our church community! Some of those people sitting innocently next to you in the pews have been taking their Saturday afternoons to cook quality food, serve as Christ served us, and clean up after these meals. With four separate teams taking one week a month quite a number of people have found a hands-on way of serving Christ by serving the outcast and marginalized.
In the year that the program has been in operation more than 1,300 meals have been served (watch out McDonald’s!). From an initial attendance in the low twenties, we have lately been serving at capacity, averaging close to 45 meals a week.

One of the wonderful things about the meal is how the "two communities" have come to know and respect each other. It is a source of joy to see the variety of conversations and the increasing comfort in the sharing of humor, concerns and common courtesies between helper and helped alike. The atmosphere seems to be marked with a palpable joy, often punctuated with one guest or another playing the piano.

We should let you know also, that those who cook and serve do not have a corner on the market here. We always have space for more people to help. We know that many of you volunteered when we helped with the Jan Hus Church meal program. Now that we are here, we invite and encourage you to come and join the joy of giving, whether on an occasional or regular basis.

Finally, I would like to thank the many people who have donated a meal in thanksgiving or memory of a loved one. We estimate that it costs $125 to provide each meal. Although sponsoring a full meal is great, we would like to encourage anyone who can offer even a partial subsidy of a weekly meal.

Again, Congratulations to all the volunteers who made this first year a source of joy and ministry for both communities. Through this work we have come to see that despite the distinctions our society may make, God truly shows no partiality. God's love has become manifest in this ministry!

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Groundwork Program

The Groundwork program, a curriculum provided by the National Church, has proven to be one of the most popular Lenten series in some years. Based on each Sundays lessons, on Sundays and Wednesdays evenings, the program has called us into critical reflection on the life of our church. Although it might be too soon to tell what long term results will emerge from the insights gleaned in the sessions, it is clear that it has offered a powerful forum for community and dialogue. On Sunday morning our coffee hours have been transformed from social hours to a place of real sharing and reflection in a small group context. Many of the Church growth books speak of small groups as a critical way to enliven and revitalize parishes. For a long time we have seemed to avoid discussing sermons and texts and the real issues of being a church in this particular setting. Thanks to Groundwork and so many faithful parishioners, it seems like a new day is upon here at All Saints. Let’s all pray that this kind of dialogue and attention to the “message” will continue and will continue to bear fruit.

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Easter Flowers

Parishioners who would like to make a contribution toward the cost of Easter flowers in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving, or in celebration, are urged to do so no later than Thursday, March 24 (Maundy Thursday). If you have any questions, please constact Viviana in the Church Office (212) 758-0447.

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Easter Vigil Reception

All Saints traditionally follows its celebration of the Great Vigil of Easter with a celebration of food at a reception after the service. This year the service will be at 8pm on Saturday, March 26. All are welcome to contribute any of several things: a favorite dish, or some time to help with setup or cleanup, or perhaps some funds toward the cost of wine and other items. If you want to help, contact Robin Rule or call the Church Office.

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Morning Prayer

Did you know that some of your fellow parishioners meet every week day morning at 8:00 a.m. in our chapel? From 8:00 to 8:15 they sit in silence, sometimes in a fairly dark church! This quiet time allows the mind to settle down and the worshiper to separate the essential from the merely distracting. Some might call this meditation, others might think of it as prayer, in any case, those who have tried it seem to find it a meaningful and helpful discipline. At 8:15 a simple, yet dignified reading of Morning Prayer begins. This takes about 15 minutes and includes the responsive reading of psalms, two other scripture readings, various canticles, prayers and the Apostles Creed. Perhaps you would like to drop in on occasion or even consider it a special Holy Week Discipline. I can assure you it has the effect of adding a sense of dignity and depth to your day.