Easter 2021

More than a year into the pandemic and we are truly at the hybrid stage, tilting towards a return to the past. Or at least that is how Easter felt.

Ashley was not allowed to come home, so we went to visit her. Her friend, Liv, finally gave us something I have felt was missing: an official tour of the campus! Tours are now done one family at a time. No one is allowed inside buildings. But...we had a a family tour!

Bonus: we spent time with Ashley and met one of her friends.

Family Easter dinner was outside at a local restaurant in 40 degree weather with a server reminding us we could be eating inside (repeat with me: we love our daughter).

Two pictures of dinner with Ashley because we were that excited.

Last year all Easter services were virtual. I believe I may have also "attended" worship in Paris -- a tradition that has continued for the past year. Something I will miss when we return to all in person and no longer record services.

This year the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville decided to hold the sunrise service outside. Traditionally, it is held around a fire pit. This year we dispersed more. About 60 people turned out! The "traditional" 10 am service was virtual. I spoke with the minister later, he commented he didn't recognize everyone. Could be because it was dark at the start and wearing masks, or because there were some new people.

After our naps (6:15 is early, even in non-COVID days) we did something that felt about 90% normal -- we had Easter dinner with my sisters and their families. If Ashley had been there and we didn't debate about whether or not to wear masks, we would have made it to 100% normal.

We did gather around a laptop to worship "with Ashley" at 5 pm -- she was in the chapel at her school and we were live streaming the service along with four other screens.

It was a small group. Others years have also included aunts, uncles, and cousins. But this group of six adults and three children were still a stretch. Everyone over 16 has received at least one dose of the vaccine, four of us have received both. It was time.

Next month we'll gather for a family baby shower. 

This summer we'll finally have a party to celebrate Ashley's graduation.

Baby steps.

We'll get there.

He is Risen!

He is Risen, indeed!

Alleluia!

Stations of the Cross -- COVID style

Deep breaths ... we are coming to end of the pandemic. Millions of people are being vaccinated every day. In my sphere, I see between five and ten posts on FaceBook of friends becoming vaccinated.

Meanwhile numbers of new cases are still climbing, or at best, plateauing.

It is just not time to bring large crowds together to gather.

Last year the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville (PCOL) built a labyrinth in the cemetery. This year there was still snow on the ground when it would have been time to lay the ropes. 

This year they created Stations of the Cross. Each one had a unique QR code linking to a two-part video. Part one talked about the biblical context, and part two brought it to life in the 21st century.

As with last year, palms were available for pick up at the curb. I brought one up to Ashley.

As I type this a couple of weeks later, I realized I should have taken notes.

The stations started on the front steps of the church. Even in non-COVID times, most people enter from the parking lot side.

"The Stations of the Cross refer to the journey Jesus took from his arrest in the garden to his death on the cross, and the placing of his body in the tomb. Each station focuses on one particular step along his journey. People of all faiths and beliefs are invited during this Lenten season to reflect on Christ's suffering and sacrifice through these seven interactive outdoor stations."

Station 1: the cross. Take a rock from the bowl, pray for someone in need, and add the rock to the cross.

Station 2: hard to tell, but that is a puzzle in the center with many faces of people from the church. Take a picture out and pray for the person.

Steps of the manse next door.

Station 3: Pray for those suffering from food insecurity -- a bigger issue than we tend to realize.

At the Giving Pantry.

Station 4: pray for those facing long prison sentences. The images are of people (mostly Black males) who were wrongfully accused of crimes, and endured (in most cases) decades in prison before being freed.

Behind the church.

Station 5: write what God means to you and add it to the board.

Art installation on Main Street.


Station 6: Black Lives Matter

In front of the church.

Station 7: by the obelisk: pray for those who have died.

In the church cemetery.

Ashley Fix

Is it just me or has this past year felt at least five years? We are about halfway through Ashley's second semester of college and I was really missing her. Due to a sudden spike in cases, her college went on a strict lockdown (no eating in the dining hall, no indoor anything, no visiting each other's rooms, etc.). Then we learned about a friend whose son (someone Ashley went to middle school with) suffered a traumatic brain injury when he hit his head while helping a friend move furniture. On top of that I was having a tough week at work. By the end of the week I needed a hug from Ashley. I needed to talk to her in person. 

Being fully vaccinated I said the risk is low, and if need be I'll call the dean and ask for permission to visit and get a hug. She agreed to the visit and the hug without getting the dean involved.

Yes, it did help. A lot.

As planned, we did go up the following week for Easter. I didn't want to wait that long.

Thank you, Ashley.

Chocolate Seder

To prepare for Passover, Temple Micah held a Chocolate Seder as part of their weekly Hebrew School. It was opened up to the community. A few people have asked me about it, so rather than repeating myself, I created this blog post.

Chocolate Seders have been around for at least ten years. If you go to Pinterest, you can find lots of examples. Here is an article explaining one such Seder.

Temple Micah's Seder used premade foods. The packages were free for students, and $10 each for the rest of us. We picked them up in advance and were sent a Zoom link so we could participate. Since time was limited, we were encouraged to set up our plate in advance by following the instructions in the Haggadah. 

For those of you familiar with a traditional Seder, I'll explain the chocolate version.

Kadesh: Blessed are you Adonai, who has given us the sweet taste of chocolate. (Blessing of chocolate milk)

Drink some chocolate milk (instead of wine).

Urchatz: wash your hands, but since this is a virtual event and we don't want to lose a lot of time, shake them in the air.

Karpas: Blessed are you Adonai, who created delicious green ring pops and chocolate syrup (now dip your delicious green ring pop in sugar free chocolate syrup).

Yachatz: hide the Afikomen (a chocolate covered cookie).

See the green straw in my tea? There is a green frog on it representing the plagues. "Frogs jumping everywhere!"

Then we sang "Maggid: Pharoh, Pharoh!" Even this Presbyterian could follow along.

In a tradition Seder there are four types of children, in a Chocolate Seder, there are four type of ... you guessed it! Chocolate, each with their own personality traits: Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Bitter Chocolate, and Chocolate with Nuts.

The ten plagues all have to relate to the downsides of chocolate: cavities, weight gain, zits, stomach aches, etc.

Singing of "Dayenu: what have we had enough of?" "If we had one bar of chocolate, or a piece of watermelon, or vegetable, we would feel good Dyeinu! Dy, Dyeinu..."

Drink the second cup of chocolate milk.

Rachtza: ...who commanded us regarding the washing of our sticky fingers.

Motzi Matzah: ...creator of cookies centered around chocolate.

Maror: (my favorite part) ... creator of bittersweet chocolate.

Korech: ...creator of Oreo cookies and cookies dipped in chocolate.

Time for the matzah ball soup (chocolate pudding with a chocolate ball).

Time to find the Afikoman (virtually, in a game similar to Where's Waldo).

Third cup of chocolate milk.

Fill the fourth cup and the cup for Elijah. "Drink milk with chocolate so you will not be thirsty, as you were before I took you out of the land of Egypt."

"Next year may we be TOGETHER!"

It was fun. While it stinks that this was the second year in a row we couldn't gather around a friend's table, in the past year we have improved technology so we can almost feel as if we are together.

A belated Happy Passover to all you who are reading this.