Martin spoke at Christ Church Cambridge in the spring of 1967, please come to hear how this speech would link hundreds of thousands of civil rights and antiwar and antipoverty workers across the nation together in a new common crusade for justice, equality, and peace. Please join us to hear our own connection with local and national history. An evening to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, Beyond Vietnam—A Time to Break the Silence and the subsequent press conference held in Cambridge in the Spring of 1967. Featuring guest speakers: Lani Guinier, Harvard law professor, lawyer, scholar and civil rights activist; Gar Alperovitz, Co-founder of Vietnam Summer, who introduced King at the 1967 press conference and Byron Rushing, State Representative and legendary civil rights and antiwar legislator. Building on his legendary sermon at Riverside Church, King came to Cambridge to issue a new call: one as important in some ways as his “I Have a Dream” speech, one that would link the civil rights and antiwar and antipoverty workers across the nation in a new common crusade for justice, equality, and peace. What did he hope to achieve? What has (and hasn’t) been accomplished? Join the roundtable discussion to find out, as we honor, celebrate and continue in King’s extraordinary life work. An historic conversation about an historic moment… in the very room where King issued his challenge.

And it’s simply not true.

Several years ago, Mother’s Day completely threw me off guard.  The day started off fine, and I wasn’t expecting to have a hard time.  But as I saw people receiving flowers, and celebrating nonchalantly, the pain became intense.   It was agonizing to want a child so deeply and to have no sense of when I’d become a mother.  It was painful to feel invisible as people congratulated pregnant women, despite most people knowing we were in the adoption process.

There are so many reasons why Mother’s Day or Father’s Day can be hard for someone.  Do you know anyone who has lost a loved one? Or gone through a divorce? Do you know anyone who has suffered a miscarriage or who is struggling to have children?  Do you know anyone who has intentionally chosen not to have children, or someone who might have had children if circumstances had been different? Do you know someone with a parent or child who is sick or in trouble? Do you know someone who wishes they were spending the day with their spouse, child, or parent, but who can’t? Do you know someone who was adopted or placed a child for adoption?  Or who has been estranged from a parent or a child?

These are but a few reasons why Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can bring up complicated feelings.  It’s almost guaranteed that someone you love is having a tough time this time of year.

So what can we do to support each other?

First, we begin by being aware that our friends and neighbors might be suffering silently.  So often I hear that one of the most painful things about suffering on the holidays is that the people around us are unintentionally thoughtless. Someone who is thoughtful can provide a positive counterweight.

Secondly, we can practice speaking from the heart the best we can.  So often, people are isolated in their suffering because their loved ones are afraid of saying the wrong thing.  Or we resort to platitudes because we aren’t sure the “right thing” to say.  If we can risk speaking with authenticity and allow ourselves to do so imperfectly, we might offer a greater gift than we realize.

I’ve since seen blogs where people enumerate strategies for getting through holidays at difficult times in their lives.  Do you need to come up with some strategies for yourself?  Do you have a loved one who might appreciate an ally in getting through a difficult time of year?

Yours in Christ,

Malia

Our hearts break for those who are wounded or grieving as a result of yesterday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon. And my heart breaks for all others, who were physically unharmed, but who have nevertheless been wounded spiritually and emotionally by yet another act of violence.

In the next few hours and days, there are a number of opportunities to join in prayer with neighboring churches:

St. James’s, Somerville: Today, Tuesday April 16, 5:30-7 p.m., ecumenical vigil for reflection & candle-lighting (Somerville extends free parking, 5-8 p.m.)
Christ Church, Waltham: Today, 7:30 p.m., a service of prayer
St. Peter’s, Cambridge: Today, 5:30-7 p.m.
St. James’s, Cambridge (Porter Square): Today, 6-7 p.m., an opportunity for community prayer
St. Paul’s, Bedford: Today, 5:30-8:30 p.m., ending with Compline
The Harvard Chaplains & Memorial Church: Today, 8 p.m. in Harvard Yard on the steps of the church, a candlelight vigil
Grace Church, 160 High St., Medford: Wednesday April 17, 6 p.m. ecumenical prayer service
All Saints, Belmont: Wednesday April 17, 7 p.m., Evening Prayer
Trinity Church, Copley Square: Friday April 19, details TBD
St. John’s, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington: Friday April 19, 7:30 p.m., Arlington’s interfaith prayer service

Church of Our Saviour: Sunday, April 21, there will be two opportunities to gather with fellow parishioners to pray and talk about our feelings and reactions.  Our deacon, the Rev. Sue Fisher Seeger, will faciliate both conversations.  One will be before church, from 9:15 a.m. to about 9:45 a.m. in the parish hall.  The other will be held in the sanctuary right after service.   Feel free to grieve and/or celebrate, remembering that the interconnection of the cross and resurrection joy is the great mystery of Easter.

A resource from the Harvard Gazette provides information on helping children cope with violence.

I pray that all of you and your loved ones are safe. Please let me know if there is anyone you know who needs our prayers or support. I am available for a visit or a call if you would find that helpful.

In Christ’s Peace,

Malia

Walkers and supporters will meet at the Jason Russell House, (corner of Mass. Ave. & Jason St.). All are welcome on this 3-mile walk, whether you have raised funds or not. Marching down Mass. Ave. — with signs and a clown and the Hot Tamale Brass Band — is also a great way to raise visibility for this issue. Thank you, everyone, for your support of this great organization!

Register to raise funds or donate via credit card online. To give via cash or check, please see Kevin Ward at COS on Sunday before the walk.

(2011) Rev. Tricia de Beer, COS interim priest, hands out balloon hats with parishioner Kevin Ward.

No matter what Lent has been like for us so far, no matter how busy we’ve been, we have the opportunity to begin again.

You may want to start thinking now about scheduling Holy Week services on your calendar. Church of Our Saviour offers a week of services that take us step-by-step through Christ’s final days leading up to the resurrection.

We celebrate Palm Sunday at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 24. We will gather in the garden to receive palms, and await the arrival of a live donkey. Recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, we will walk with neighbors from Trinity Baptist up Massachusetts Ave, where we will meet our neighbors from Calvary Methodist. Our worship returns to Church of Our Saviour and ends with members of the congregation taking parts in reading the story of Jesus’ passion.

We remember Jesus’ Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. As we remember how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, we will offer anyone who wishes the opportunity to have their feet washed. After remembering Jesus’ Last Supper at Communion, we prepare for his death by ritually stripping all ornaments from the from the sanctuary. The service ends with recalling Jesus’ intense time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Those who wish may stay until 9:30 p.m. to “watch and pray” with Jesus in silent meditation.

We offer a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29. We hear the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion and offer prayers for the needs of the world. Using a cross made of icons, there will be an invitation to write down a prayer or burden and lay it at Jesus’ feet as we ponder the mysterious gift of the cross. In addition, Sunday School families are invited to meet with me at 5:30 pm for Good Friday reflections based on Godly Play.

The Great Vigil of Easter begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. As twilight descends, we will kindle a fire in our garden. (The prayers collected on Good Friday will be placed in the fire and silently offered to God.) We will use this fire to light the Paschal Candle as we chant an ancient hymn of Christ’s victory over death. Returning to the church, we then gather in a circle around the candle, like ancient people gathered around a campfire, to tell the stories of God’s saving acts throughout history. We then ring bells and shout “Alleluia” for the first time since Ash Wednesday. As the organ
swells and lights grow brighter, we will “resurrect” the silk Alleluia banner that has lain buried in the high altar throughout Lent. The service ends with Communion and joyful hymns.

There will be two Easter services on Sunday, March 31, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. All the senses will be fully engaged as we listen to special music with brass instruments, inhale the fragrance of lilies, and taste the love of Christ at Communion.

Easter is so much more powerful after experiencing the emotional roller coaster of Holy Week. I hope you will attend as many of these services as possible. May you continue to have a blessed and Holy Lent.

Yours in Christ,

Malia

Sun., Mar. 24    10 a.m. – Palm Sunday: Procession with live donkey and palms up Mass Ave.

Thurs., Mar. 28  7:30 p.m. – Maundy Thursday: (Optional) washing of the feet and ritual stripping of the altar. Meditation/prayer in Garden of Repose following service.

Fri., Mar. 29     5:30 p.m. – Good Friday reflections for Sunday School

7:30 p.m. – Good Friday: Silently lay down your prayers and burdens at the foot of the cross.

Sat., Mar. 30     7:30 p.m. – Easter Vigil: Fire! Chanting! Storytelling! Resurrected life!
Bring a bell or noise maker

Sun., Mar. 31    9 & 11 a.m. – Easter Sunday. Special brass musicians!
Easter egg hunt between the services