Easter at St. Mark’s, 2010
Weather predictions were cautioning rain for Easter. Thankfully, the day dawned cloudy and cool. Later the sun burst through the clouds brightening the close for a colorful Easter Egg hunt after church. Little girls in frilly dress and bonnets and boys in spiffy spring suits frolicked while collecting the colorful plastic eggs filled with candy. What a glorious day!
Prior to the hunt Craig, the choir, and orchestral instruments accompanying beautifully inspired hymns, canticles, and anthems lifted our hearts with joyous music, as they always do. I personally felt Christ’s Risen and Exalted presence in every space in the sanctuary as well as in my soul. The nave and transepts were as full as the music and altar lilies. Carey’s attention getting sermon and the Eucharist were captivating. Johnny Cash was no doubt smiling from beyond the veil. When alive, Johnny was a passionate singer and songwriter who lived and loved ‘hard.’ He experienced his own personal ‘crucifixion’ and the rest of his life was lived with a renewed conviction to Jesus Christ. Out of his pain came joy.
I am beginning to feel joy this Easter after the painful loss of my parents within the past two years. Their columbarium plots are within a couple of hundred yards of the Willcox building. This building represents 14 years of my membership prior to the 1967 Church and Parish Hall (currently the Youth Hall). St. Mark’s grew very rapidly in those early years despite the fact that the rector had no curate for the first ten of them. Thankfully, we are continuing to grow in new ministries and meaningful ways with four clergy and a Bishop in residence! I feel the whole St. Mark’s community and those beyond our doors rejoicing: ” Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again!”-Tina Bodiak, St. Mark’s parishioner
