Easter Letter 2016

​Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
I just love this time of year, the songs of the returning robins, red winged blackbirds, and sandhill cranes, the cheery snowdrops and crocuses pushing through the frozen ground, the swelling tree buds and the smell of the thawing ground, the promise of new life rising from the dead of winter, just as Jesus rose to new life from the cold, dark tomb of death.
 
We go through many losses and deaths in our lifetime and look for new life to arise from the ashes of our loss.  A pastor friend’s congregation is very small and aging quickly.  A Hispanic congregation asked if they could rent the church for their worship, an arrangement which is quickly changing into a reversal of roles with the new congregation purchasing the property and my friend’s congregation having use of the building for worship.  My friend’s church did not die, but is changing and growing into something new and different.  Change is never easy, but we must be open to see God’s work in our midst.
 
Our Albion Community is going through a similar phase of dying to what was and resurrection into something new.  Especially poignant are the changes happening in our Albion Community Schools.  Will there be a school in Albion in the fall of 2016?  Are we losing control of the education of our children?  Does Marshall understand and respect the cultural and economic differences found in Albion?  Should we vote for or against annexation?  There is no easy answer or it would already be in place.
 
In this coming Holy Week I call you to a time of prayer and fasting for discernment for the welfare of our children and families in Albion.  I pray for unity in our diversity, that we may love and support each other even when we do not agree.  O God give us wisdom and understanding!
 
Blessings for Holy Week and a Joyous Easter,
Mother Darlene+

​2016 Holy Week Schedule
 
Saturday, March 19th
8:30 am – Morning Prayer
9:00 am – Acolyte Training
10:00 am – Altar Guild Training
4:30 pm – Evening Prayer
5:00-6:30 pm – Community Supper
 
Sunday, March 20th at 9:30 am
Liturgy of the Palms – Parish Hall
Passion Sunday Service followed by Stripping of the Altar
Christian Formation
 
Monday, March 21st at 5:30 pm
Stations of the Cross
 
Thursday, March 24th at 7:00 pm
Maundy Thursday Service
First Presbyterian Church
 
Friday, March 25th
12:00-1:30 pm – Seven Last Words of Christ at Free Methodist Church
5:30 pm - Good Friday Service
 
Saturday, March 26th
9:00 am – Holy Saturday Service
9:30 am – Altar Guild setup
8:00 pm – Easter Vigil at Trinity Marshall with Confirmation
 
Sunday, March 27th  
9:30 am – Easter Sunday Service with Bishop Hougland