Tenebrae

You can imagine it...but being part of it is totally different. That's what one of last night's congregation remarked on leaving a most moving drama of the Passion.

The church was in full light as we began the liturgy and gradually lights were turned off as the candles were extinguished one by one. At each point in the Passion Narrative where something terrible happens a candle is put out. After the penultimate hymn even the chancel lights were switched off and the church was in total darkness with only three candles remaining. As the story drew to the climax the last two "disciple" candles were snuffed and, finally, with the death of our Lord, even the Christ Candle was put out.

"This man was God's royal Son" brought the story to a conclusion and the organ struck up an earthquake rumble that reverberated throughout the building, shaking the pews and startling the congregation. In the silence that followed Isaiah's words "He was wounded for our transgressions..." proclaimed a note of confidence, assurance and hope while reminding us why it had happened.

A Cantor, unaccompanied in the darkness and stillness sang "Were you there when they crucified my Lord..." and the people joined softly as verse by verse we reflected on what we had just witnessed. Finally, "Were you there when God raised him from the dead..." began and the relit Christ Candle was brought forward to its place - the only tiny light in the dark. Such a tangible silence enveloped the gathering that no one wanted to move, or speak... Truly the Lord was in this place.

Eventually we had to go...but even in the street as people went to their cars...any conversations were being held in a whisper so as not to break the stillness.

Much blessing was poured out on God's people this week.

Wet Saturday

My second year in Saint Nicholas' begins with a wet Saturday. So much for the little bits I wanted to plant in the garden! Next week...not likely to be time to do that kind of thing. Had a mad idea that we'd do breakfast after the "Dawn" service on Easter Sunday. That should be fun - hope someone comes along.
Next week - two or three home communions every day and services each evening. I love this time of year and the message of resurrection. Good Friday we'll have three hours at the cross from noon until 3.00 pm. Every year when I was teaching we had a London trip and always brought the young people to Saint George's, Windsor, for one of the twenty minute slots. Even in the middle of a holiday it is good to pause for moments of quiet reflection.
The Tenebrae on Good Friday evening is one of the highlights. Candles are already in the car - travelling up and down the Lisburn Road with me! Sooner or later I'll remember to bring them into the church.
Meanwhile, the Palm Crosses for tomorrow have already made the move from car to vestry...looking forward to that service and the traditional hymns of Palm Sunday. The choir have a beautiful anthem as well....and it is Holy Communion...
It won't be long until we move out of the building for repair work to commence. We move on 19th and then for twenty weeks we'll be "displaced people" in the halls...
Pilgrimage may well be the theme explored over some of the early weeks as we consider how best we can be church in twenty first century Belfast.
Rambling here this morning....maybe getting my thoughts in order so that the day can start....