Risen Ones,
On Easter Sunday, those of us of Western Christianity gathered together, sang, and proclaimed “Alleluia”. To prepare for our “Alleluia”, Island United had spent six weeks of an introspective journey of seeking, asking questions as we traveled with Jesus in his ministry, death, and resurrection. We were there. We are here. WE ARE RISEN.
This week, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the Resurrection – Velykden (The Great Day). It seems particularly significant as we welcome Katya Terets, a former congregant of Island United and Foster City resident, to speak about and raise funds for the Ukrainian War Orphans in Poland. Rev. Michael Vincent Hollingshead and I have been in discussion since late January to make this happen. We had an original date during Lent, and then we had to reschedule for Sunday, April 16. God works in mysterious ways.
The April 6, 2023, Time article “The History Behind the Ukrainian Tradition of Decorating Pysanky Easter Eggs” https://time.com/6166140/pysanka-ukraine-easter-egg-history/ is particularly resonant today. Personally, I remember an aunt bringing a Ukrainian Easter Egg back from her university tours in the 1970s. The beautiful fragility and strong resistance.
I look forward to being with you – at 1130 Balclutha or on Zoom – as we hear Katya share an important story this Sunday.
Keep rising!
Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin