Celebrating Holy Week

Celebrating Holy Week

Beloved friends of St. Philip,

I have been quiet the last few weeks as I have grappled with the best way for us to move forward as a community during this season of increased isolation. I want you to know that all of you have been in my prayers nightly. So much of our life together revolves around gathering in person. We will not be able to do so for an indefinite period. We must take the time to grieve this loss of shared meals and conversation, of hugs and hand-shaking. Please be gentle with yourself and one another as we adjust to this new way of life that unfolds before us.

Even as we cannot be together as the Body of Christ, we remain the Body of Christ in and for the world. This time gives us a unique opportunity to practice the heart of what it means to be a Christian: loving our neighbors, wherever we are. For those of us who neatly divide our lives between church and everything else, the present moment gives us the opportunity to break down that division. For those of us already committed to loving our neighbors around us, we are invited to go deeper, to see in our everyday lives and loves the presence of God.

Right now, Holy Week is almost upon us, a week we will spend at home. While this may seem strange to us, many of our Lenten and Holy Week practices began in the homes of early Christians, and only later grew into the magnificent services to which we have grown accustomed. I will be emailing (and mailing) a set of home observances for the Triduum. I will also be updating a list of online offerings as they become available. Many parishes in our diocese are creatively streaming their services. Both Trinity and St. Michael and All Angels have been working hard at offering their resources to all of us so we can celebrate this time together. In particular, I commend to you Trinity Cathedral’s page “Holy Week at Home” where they have gathered some wonderful resources. In addition, here is information about Holy Week around the Episcopal Church:

Holy Week at St. Philip:

At St. Philip, we will start by gathering over Zoom to celebrate the Liturgy of the Palms, and join with our sisters, brothers and friends across our Diocese throughout the week. Below is an initial schedule for shared journey. I will be sending out individual reminders for each upcoming day with updated links and information. There is talk of a Diocesan Vigil Service, and I know some are recording Stations of the Cross. 

I will send a separate update with instructions for using Zoom, and schedule test meetings.

Palm Sunday with St. Philip

We will enjoy the Diocesan Blessing of the Palms, and continue with Morning Prayer and coffee hour.

Palm Sunday via Zoom

Wednesday Tenebrae, April 8

At St. Philip, we do not typically do a Tenebrae service, but this is an opportunity to enter into the beautiful darkness of the Triduum through a choral service rooted in the 5th century. Grace Cathedral in San Francisco will be streaming Tenebrae on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 pm.

Maundy Thursday, April 9

The meal Jesus celebrated with his disciples was an adaptation of a traditional Jewish thanksgiving meal (not Passover, as has often been taught). It is an opportunity to gather, and say some of the most ancient thanksgiving prayers of our shared Jewish and Christian traditions. You may celebrate at home using the service booklet, or take advantage of the following streaming services for after the meal:

Good Friday, April 10

We will gather via Zoom at 3pm on the afternoon of April 10.

Good Friday via Zoom

  • Zoom Link: click to automatically open in the app on your device.
  • If you need to enter the meeting manually or dial-in for audio:
    • Meeting ID: 806 668 0639
    • Password: Same as previous meetings, sent via email
    • Dial-in number: 971 247 1195

You may hear sung versions of the Passion and the Solemn Collects here:

Easter Vigil, April 11th

We will gather via Zoom at 8pm on the evening of April 11.

The Great Vigil via Zoom

  • Zoom Link: click to automatically open in the app on your device.
  • If you need to enter the meeting manually or dial-in for audio:
    • Meeting ID: 806 668 0639
    • Password: Same as previous meetings, sent via email
    • Dial-in number: 971 247 1195
  • You may also join the Trinity Cathedral Great Vigil of Easter on Facebook and YouTube, 7pm

Easter Sunday

St. Philip will gather at 11am for Easter Morning Prayer and Coffee Hour via Zoom. using this service booklet.

  • Zoom Link: click to automatically open in the app on your device.
  • If you need to enter the meeting manually or dial-in for audio:
    • Meeting ID: 806 668 0639
    • Password: Same as previous meetings, sent via email
    • Dial-in number: 971 247 1195

You may also enjoy the fabulous music of our various cathedrals.

The Phone Tree:

Please, keep talking to one another! 

At our last in-person gathering, I asked everyone present to call a short list of folks each week. I have already heard that new relationships among long-time members are springing up as a result. What are you learning about one another? What are you learning about God? What is the hardest thing about this time? What is a joy in this shifted way of living? Ask these questions of one another. Especially, ask how you can pray for one another, and then pray together! You don’t need to be in church to pray together!

I will have more updates as we continue together on this path. I plan to email and post online the readings for each week, host a open conversation time each week (also online), and may do a once a week morning and evening prayer which you may join. I will let you know as I know I decide. 

Again, blessings to all of you. I love you and miss seeing your lovely faces each week. 

— Mother Maria

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