April Message from Rev. Telos Whitfield

“Morning has broken like the first morning Blackbird has spoken like the first bird Praise for the singing, praise for the morning Praise for them springing fresh from the world”

For many years, I have helped to lead Easter Sunrise services where our circle of people gathered and would witness the sunlight suddenly arrive over the top of a Vermont mountain, gracing us with light. We would sing together, often it would be Morning Has Broken, hear poetry that spoke of a new day, arrival of spring, and Jesus’ spirit continuing to live on. We would join together to celebrate a new morning, Easter morning as a gathered interfaith community. I loved those services. I love being outside holding a service beginning in the darkness of early morning. I was raised in a liberal Presbyterian congregation in Issaquah, Washington where family and community were the heart of our church. And we were deeply committed to social justice work, and saw it as continuing Jesus’ work. He was a revolutionary activist and healer, so radical for his time, that he was crucified. I have always been more drawn to his life as a human being and the emphasis on his work, the important and vital work of welcoming those we consider “strangers” into our circle; of being an inclusive community, and believing that each person has inherent worth and dignity. Jesus lived this, our UU principle in such real and beautiful and radical ways. We will celebrate and honor his life and work on Easter Sunday, and we will follow our unfolding path of light – the work of All Souls, woven with welcome and care, justice and community.

Let us send healing and care to the families of those killed in Atlanta, Georgia and Boulder, Colorado in recent days. Innocent people lost their lives to senseless violence. May our communities and country come together to reduce gun violence…let our voices be heard.

In Care and Sorrow, Rev. Telos

Holy Days, Days To Remember

April 2nd – Good Friday – Christian April 4th – Easter Sunday* – Christian April 8th – Yom HaShoah** – Jewish April 13th – Hindi New Year** – Hindu April 13th – 21st – Ramayana** – Hindu April 13th – Ramadan* begins – Islam April 14th – Baisakhi – Sikh

April 15th – Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Jewish April 16th – First Day of Ridvan* – Baha’I April 21st – Ramanavami** – Hindu
April 27th – Hanuman Jayanti** – Hindu April 27th – Mahavir Jayanti** – Jain April 30th – Lag B’Omer – Jewish