Looking for Helpers in Holy Week
Posted April 1, 2021
Dear parents and families,
One of the things that tends to make people uneasy about Holy Week is its overwhelming nature. There is simply so much to absorb beginning with Palm Sunday (which has two dichotomous sections) and ending with Easter. It is an emotional rollercoaster. In yet another COVID Holy Week, it is more than understandable why people are not keen on consuming more emotional material than necessary. The thing about God, though, is that He never leaves us heartbroken forever.
Remember “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”? Mr. Rogers once said, “Look for the helpers.” That is how I get through Holy Week: looking for the helpers. Each story of pain is accompanied by a glimmer of hope. But, don’t just take my word for it.
- The Maundy Thursday Gospel discusses Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. He teaches them to wash each other’s feet. Loving one another and showing humility is a key lesson we can take away time and again from the gospels. Teaching and helping.
- In John’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial, we hear about a man named Joseph of Arimathea. Bravely approaching Pilate and asking for the body of Christ couldn’t have been easy, but Joseph of Arimathea did it anyway. A helper. Now, he is considered the patron saint of funeral directors.
- The Gospel used for the Easter Vigil comes from Mark. Here, we learn immediately about the women who went to the tomb of Christ to anoint His body with spices. While the rest of the disciples had abandoned Christ and gone into hiding, these women went to take care of their Lord and their friend. Helpers.
Look for the helpers in this world everywhere you go. BE a helper. Embody the humility of Christ. Capture the bravery of Joseph of Arimathea. Channel your inner Mary, Mary, and Salome. God chose them to be part of the Holy Week journey, and God chose us, too.
Faithfully,
Anne Alexis
Minister for Children, Youth, & Families 215 247 8716 Anne Alexis Harra (she/her) was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. She and her beloved partner, Cole (he/him) currently live in Manayunk. Anne Alexis graduated from Washington College in May 2019 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Philosophy. Anne Alexis has served on the Diocesan Council in the Episcopal Church in Delaware, as well as the Racial Justice & Reconciliation Commission, and the Diocesan Assessment Committee. Since moving to Philadelphia in January 2021, she has served on the DioPA Youth Leaders Team and the DioPA Dismantling Racism for Youth Leaders Team. She is passionate about children's spirituality and using education as a force for good in their spiritual lives. Beginning with the waters of baptism, Anne Alexis has devoted her life to serving God in the Episcopal Church. Raised on Godly Play in Sunday school and moving into a tight-knit youth group, she is aware of the positive impact that the Church’s presence can have in the life of a young person. She is passionate about encouraging children and youth to explore their faith on a personal level while also committing to a community-centered effort to enact change for the greater good. Anne Alexis is passionate about racial justice and healing, as well as advocating for the rights of children in the context of the Christian faith. She hopes for a church where all of God's beloved are welcomed, heard, and included. She seeks and envisions a church where every member feels the true love of God in Christ. Anne Alexis is deeply aware of the profound impact of Jesus' unyielding love for all, including the most tender and vulnerable in our society: children. Hopeful for a day when all marginalized peoples are treated with equity, she continues "to seek and serve Christ in all persons." The Baptismal Covenant and Sacrament of Eucharist guide her ministry. Anne Alexis’ father owns and is president of a local funeral home in Wilmington. Some of her earliest childhood memories include observing him engage with bereaved families in a way that can only be described as ministerial. Her mother is a hospice nurse who guides her patients and families through a dignified palliative care stage. Anne Alexis’ parents have left a huge impression on her heart. A ministerial goal she has at St. Martin’s is exploring the often taboo topics of dying and death in the hopeful context of the gospels. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, reading, spending time with her family (notably her godson, Will), and watching new shows with her beloved cats by her side. She and Cole enjoy trying eclectic restaurants in their neighborhood -- observing COVID restrictions, of course!Anne Alexis Harra
Available for download today! St. Martin's downloadable Holy Week for the Whole Family resources invite families to experience at home the stories that lead up to Easter. This version of Holy Week for the Whole Family is designed to reflect our current practices of sheltering at home and keeping physical distance during the coronavirus pandemic.
Holy Week for the Whole Family
New Life, New Beginnings Join us in joyful celebration of new life in Christ this Easter! Worship schedule: 7:00am Outdoor Morning Prayer 8:00am Spoken Eucharist 9:00am Holy Eucharist with Music 10:15am LIFT Holy Eucharist 11:15am Choral EucharistEaster at St. Martin's 2023
Tags: Lent + Holy Week at St. Martin's / Easter at St. Martin's 2023 / Children & Families
