Happy Passover

GATHERING FOR A PASSOVER OBSERVANCE
Sunday, March 24, 5:30 pm,
618 Locust Street

The week beginning Sunday, March 24, known worldwide as Holy Week, marks foundational events in both the Jewish and Christian traditions. We will reflect upon these holy days as we gather to observe Passover, or Pesach, which is the Jewish remembrance of the exodus of the ancient Israelites from the slavery of Egypt to new life in the Promised Land. The story, appropriately chronicled in Exodus, a book in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), provides an account of people whose value had been stripped from them who went on to live rich, full lives in the land of milk and honey.

"The Exodus is a story of transformation about people socially, economically, and politically oppressed who find the inner strength and resources to create a community and culture that became vibrant and enduring. This is a story whose potency continues to inspire oppressed people to work for justice some four thousand years after it was first recorded." Lou Kavar 

This potent story and lesson is passed on through the sharing of a Seder meal. This meal of remembrance has also become important to Christians because it was a Seder meal which Jesus celebrated with his disciples shortly before his death. This meal continues to be significant to anyone who feels the struggle for liberation for themselves and all of God's children. It will be in this spirit that we will gather on Sunday, March 24, which is the Christian Palm Sunday, for an interfaith Seder.

Our offering will be designated for One Great Hour of Sharing, an ecumenical effort supporting ministries in 70 countries. The motto,"Giving Help, Hope and Life," appropriately conveys the work of OGHS which includes funding development projects, feeding the victims of famine, providing services for displaced people, and responding to natural disasters.