Sunday of Lesley: Church

Maundy Thursday

So, the Maundy Thursday service was last week. I spent two evenings setting up for it, which was fine by me because I love the church at night. It's cool, dark, and very, very quiet. I'm always surprised at how quiet it is, considering all the traffic in the area. And there's a palpable energy in the space, which is comforting and supportive.

This is always a sad service, but it was even more so this year due to Fred's retirement. I had my fingers crossed that everything would go well so that he'd leave with a wonderful memory of that evening. And at the last minute, when he suggested moving the Christ candle, I gave in because it's his last service. Because, after all, it isn't my service; it isn't about me. And of course, it isn't about Fred, either. More on that Christ candle later...

The choir sounded great, the sermon was touching, and Rob sang a really beautiful solo. And then came the readings! I reverted back to the old "Last Supper" setup this year; I wanted to keep things simple and clean, with no melodramatics or special effects. I think we were all in need of a little simplification this year. I also didn't send the entire script out to the readers; I thought it would be nice for them to hear the other readings for the first time that night. Usually there's no element of surprise when you're a reader.

Gary was the first reader, playing Gaspar, the Magus. He plays intelligent, well-spoken characters very, very well.

Lyle was next, playing Nicodemus. He teased me about this being the first year he isn't Joseph of Arimathea...so he thought it was great that Nicodemus mentions his "old friend" Joseph! He reads with such empathy and thoughtfulness.

Next was Liz, playing Ezra's Mother. It was a perfect part for her...in-charge and capable, and very moved by the teachings she's hearing. And very proud of her little son.

Diane was next, as the Healed Woman. She's another reader that speaks with great empathy. You find yourself leaning forward to hear what she's going to say next.

Larry was next, playing the Poor Man. When I read this part, I was struck by how gentle and caring the character was. I couldn't think of a better reader for this than Larry. And he was wonderful...who cares if he doesn't actually have a wife and baby? It's the feeling behind it that matters.

I followed Larry, playing Abigail. I got the laugh of the evening. Yep. I spoke a line about, "I'm the one who never got married," and the congregation found that pretty amusing. *sigh*

Following me was Keith, as Malchus. I like giving Keith the tough-guy parts because he does brusque very well. (Not that that's his personality in real life!) He can do a great blend of humor and solemnity.

Next was Tonya, playing Malchus' Wife. She has the most beautiful speaking voice! And her readings are always very believable. When she said the line about losing one's friends....ooh, very effective.

Following her was Howard, as the Galilean. He's very commanding when he reads; he can hold attention really well. I loved the part when he said, "I felt alive! At least for a moment..." I didn't remember it sounding that good when I read it!

This was the point when Worth did his solo. I remember the very first time I heard it; it sent shivers up my spine. The words, the tune, the tone...it's an amazing song, at least to me. It still sends shivers up my spine. Plus, after the song ends, the lights go down to almost nothing and you settle in for the inevitable end. Always kind of reminds me of Gethsemane.

Jim was last, playing John the Beloved. He's an incredible reader, able to pull every emotion out of his readings without taking it into the melodramatic. I knew for certain that he would do this last reading well, and man, I sure was right. When the lights went out he realized it was too dark to walk anywhere, so he stayed at the table, in the dark, with his head bowed.

And when the light went out...ahem...that Christ candle...

It reflected the cross onto the wall and ceiling of the church. A giant, golden cross with the crown of thorns also reflected in perfect detail. It shimmered, literally shimmered, all the way up to the ceiling.

My jaw dropped when I saw it. There was an audible gasp throughout the church. And when I finally tore my eyes off it and looked around, I saw that everyone was staring at it with a stunned expression.

I've never seen anything like it.

Anything natural, that is. And that's the funny thing that the congregants don't realize; we never planned it. It just...happened.

Earlier in the evening Fred mentioned how ethereal and spiritual the church's first Maundy Thursday service had been. I think, between the incredible readers, the music, and the cross, he might remember this service that way, too. And I'm glad he'll leave with that memory.

The only disappointing thing about the evening was that nobody went! I'm not exaggerating when I say that the entire congregation was made up of the choir, the readers, and their families. And that's it!!

I know that Thursday is a weeknight. And "Friends" is on. And it's just too much hassle. But personally, I can't imagine the Easter season without this service. The Easter Sunday service is so crazy and chaotic, it doesn't give you time to really think about Easter. I want that quietness. I don't want to skip over the Last Supper and Gethsemane. It's one of my favorite evenings of the whole year, truly. It helps me define faith, and trust. And hope and love. And sadness and joy.

Personally, that's how much the service means to me. I understand that it doesn't mean that to each person. But it just seems a shame that nearly everyone was too busy this year.

Oh well. Life is a busy thing and you choose how you divide your time.

But I will never forget that service and the feelings of awe, courage, and hope that shimmered through the dome.

Off To Pilgrim Pines!

It was that time of year again...retreat time!!

Every year when the leaves start turning and the malls are decorated for Christmas (read: October), adventurous IUCCers pack their cars with sleeping bags, hiking boots, and spirits of fun and head off up the mountain into the lovely San Bernardino apple country. If you travel with Michael and David, that trunk also contains a coffeemaker and two pounds of Starbucks beans, which I have to say rather made us the envy of the campground. We had, however, forgotten to bring along a coffee grinder, but did have the fortune to be rooming with Gary, who had also brought along a coffeemaker and - thankfully - ground beans.

So, no, we didn't exactly "rough it." But why? I adore real camping...sleeping on the ground, cooking over a fire, not showering for four days...but this was a retreat, a time to meditate, reconnect with one's self, enjoy the company of friends, and be at peace. And to be fair to us, a LOT of our fellow campers drove into town for their morning Starbucks fix.

But enough about the coffee.

Everything about the weekend was perfect - perfect weather, perfect amount of activities, and REALLY perfect apple pie. It was great to hang out and chat with people that I don't normally see very much. Next time I go I'm definitely doing the high ropes challenge. Worth did the ropes this year, and it sounds wonderful. He did very well, too; didn't fall once, so I'm told!

One of the best parts of the trip was Saturday night. By the time we finished dinner the sun was setting, and what a fantastic sunset! I decided to take a trip to the labyrinth, in the hopes that it wouldn't be too crowded. As it turns out, it was deserted! If you've never been there, the labyrinth is on the side of a hill, overlooking nothing but trees. And the sky that night looked like a giant balloon filled with purple and pink paint had exploded across it. I had the most marvelous experience walking the labyrinth that night.

(And in case you REALLY don't know what I'm talking about, a meditation labyrinth is not a hedge maze; it's a path set out with stones - or tiles sometimes - that you follow and meditate on. It's not a maze in that you can't get lost and there are no wrong turns. There's only one way to go, and if you stay on the path you'll always come to the center and you'll always come out again. Very spiritual; I highly recommend trying it if you come across one. A lot of cathedrals in Europe have them.)

Sunday came around before I knew it, and it was time to load up the now-grungy clothes and head back down the mountain into smog and traffic. Sitting here at my desk now, I'm recalling that amazing sunset and wishing I were there again. But next year I will be, and YOU should be, too.

And remember...it's not really camping if there's no Kenneth Cole.

(For more Pilgrim Pines pictures, check out the Photo Gallery!)