Easter, 2008

Jesus Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Those were the words spoken on Easter Sunday around the world.  They are also the words spoken in the four churches of St. Michael Parish here in Guyana.  

The most important day of the church year in Guyana is Good Friday.  The day is very solemn with people of all religions giving respect to the Christian Holy Day when Jesus Christ was sacrificed for us. All television stations tell the crucifixion story. Christians of all denominations dress in their finest funeral clothes and attend church services all over the country.  Every church is full on that day. 

On the other hand, Easter Sunday is “just” another Sunday.  Most churches don’t even have the “normal” Sunday attendance since it’s a holiday weekend.  However times are changing in St. Michael Parish.  I used to preach – “Sure, you love to see Jesus crucified and then you leave Him in the tomb.  You forget that He rose from the dead!”  I no longer preach that sermon. This year’s Easter services saw full churches throughout the parish.  Indeed – how the Lord has blessed us, and everyone turned out to give the thanks and praise to Jesus Christ. 

To give you a recap of the past months:

It’s been a physically trying time since our church leader died last year.  We all have juggling acts in our lives but more balls were added to my act.  Sometimes, I just had to let every one of them fall in order to survive.  The highlights were:

• St. James Church was torn down and had to be rebuilt without Brother “B” to supervise.  It still needs painting and landscaping.
• St. Luke Church needed a new roof and had to be repainted
• St. Michael Church had a toilet facility built.  Painting is still to be done.
• Christian Education had to have Advent and Lenten devotionals in addition to the Sunday School curriculum for the first half of 2008
• Mid-week Lenten services took place at all 4 churches
• Confirmation and baptismal classes in all churches had to be started
• VBS materials needed to be started in order to cater to 3000 VBS children in 48 churches.
• Beginning in April, work will begin on a correspondence Bible Study course for the ELCG. 

If the juggling ball labeled “newsletter” never entered the air during those months, hopefully you’ll understand the reason.   However, it’s good to reflect on all this because out of the cinders new life arises.  That has happened for us.

The church lay leader for St. Luke Church is beginning to help out at St. Barnabas with a new leader coming up for St. Barnabas.  The church leader for St. Michael will begin assisting at St. James as well.  While I had to juggle all the mid-week Lenten services this year, it will hopefully be easier one year from now.

In a very unplanned way, we have new workers in the Christian Ed. office.  A member of another parish became unemployed just as the New Year began. In this extremely difficult economic situation, she could not find another job. Yvonne Seepersaud came to help us in the department on a very temporary basis not knowing where the funds would come from to pay her.  We still don’t have any extra funds, but somehow the money seems to be enough at the end of each month.  The blessing is – Yvonne has taken over the writing of the VBS curriculum.  With her many years of Sunday School teaching experience, she seems to be a natural.  Beginning in April, Shirley Jaundoo, the lay leader for St. Michael Parish, will join Yvonne on a part-time basis.  Together, the two will work on the correspondence Bible Study Course. 

When I think of where we were last October and where we are today, I marvel at how God works in our lives.  St. Michael Parish was on its knees.  The Christian Education department was in jeopardy as I am responsible for both.  Yet today – new leaders are rising up in all areas with work being accomplished without me.  Truly, I could never have planned or organized any of this.  Jesus Christ indeed has risen and each day, Jesus helps us to rise too!

On that note, the Advent and Lenten seasons are over, the Christian education work can manage without me and renovations in the parish are taking a holiday while I take some time too. My routine is to take a break after Easter.  I am doing that this year as well.  My suitcase is nearly packed ready to leave New Amsterdam tomorrow for a week.  My plans for the week are to sleep, read and walk as the mood hits me. 

I’m attaching some photos of St. James Church to give you a glimpse into the work there.  I took my camera to all the churches on Easter but I was so busy that photos never got taken.  These will have to do.

Thank each and every one of you for your faithful prayers.  It’s surely by your prayers and love that we have been able to get through all that we have.

I wish you God’s blessings.  May He bless you as He has blessed us. 

Peace in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Judy