The Path to Holy Week and Easter

[Rev Alison Mock]

Dear YKUC Friends:

Yellowknife is certainly showing off this week, with these long days of sunshine and much milder weather. It's really good to be back, and it's been wonderful to have my son James and his buddy Jo with me. They are having the time of their lives, ice fishing and snowmobiling and adventuring at the castle. As usual, the YKUC congregation (and beyond) has been more than generous with their time, equipment, vehicles, and warm welcome. I'm sure Jo will be back!

The boys are heading home on Friday's 1am flight. On a pastoral note: I'm going with them. You may remember me talking about the death of my dear friend and mentor, Gerry Brubacher, at the end of January. I'm very honoured to be officiating his funeral service on Saturday, at the funeral home in Mississauga where he served for 40+ years. As long as Air Canada cooperates, I'll be back in time for Sunday morning worship, if a little sleepy. Thanks for your prayers and good wishes that make mourning a friend that little bit easier.

Somehow, we find ourselves on Day 25 of Lent! Here's the path to Holy Week and Easter:

Every night (except Sundays) we continue with our Lenten Prayers at 8pm on Zoom.

Today (March 18) and next Wednesday (March 25) at noon: All are welcome at Holy Trinity Anglican Church for Lenten Lunches.

ALSO Today (March 18) and next Wednesday (March 25) at 7pm MT:

Let's Talk About Hard Things -- the final two installments of our "difficult conversations" series are Family and Identity. These conversations will happen ONLINE at 7pm. I'm really enjoying Anna Sale's book, but if you haven't read it, you're more than welcome to join in anyway. Tonight: why and how are families so complicated? How do we disappoint each other and how do we cope when family lets us down?

Sunday, March 22nd at 11am: the 5th Sunday in Lent, Karen Wilford and I will lead worship together, looking at some particularly "grave" texts (sorry, I couldn't resist) -- Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones, and Jesus' raising of Lazarus from the dead. 

Sunday, March 22nd at 4pm: you are invited to the Manse, 5612 50A Avenue, for a Heated Rivalry watch party. For those who missed last Sunday's sermon, the manuscript is at this link. We will watch Episode 5 together (it's the only G-rated episode of the series!) and enjoy a light snack of tuna melts and ginger ale. 

Sunday, March 29th at 11am:  worship for Palm/Passion Sunday, also known as Holy Week in a Box! This will be an interactive "Messy Church" style service where we walk through the Holy Week narrative and do an all-ages craft together. The service will also include sharing communion. All supplies will be provided. NO GLITTER, I promise. 

Wednesday, April 1st at Noon: YKUC hosts the Lenten Lunch at Trinity Church. I'll be offering the devotional, and we need volunteers to make soup and sandwiches. Watch for more info on Sunday, and find out how you can help. 

Thursday, April 2nd at 6:30pm: a "house church" worship for Maundy Thursday at the Manse. We'll gather at 6:30 and get settled with a cup of tea, and then move into worship time at 7pm. The service will be informal and short, and will include foot and/or hand-washing as our sacramental act.

Friday, April 3rd at 11am: Worship for Good Friday in our Chapel, with Communion 

Sunday, April 5th at 7am: Sunrise Service on Pilot's Monument

Sunday, April 5th at 11am: Worship for Easter Sunday. Sunday School will be offered with an (edible) Easter Craft for children. Please join us, and stay for coffee and hot cross buns after the service. 

Please feel welcome to engage in this sacred season in whatever ways feel right and good to you. And may I just say: I love, love, love my job!

Blessings,

Alison

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Rev. Alison Mock

Minister, Yellowknife United Church

5403 - 50 Avenue (Franklin Ave)

Yellowknife, NT

Mobile: 647-287-4489

Church Phone: 867-873-6291