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Dear Friends in Valhalla Parish—

This week we find ourselves approaching the climax of the Christian Year—Holy Week and the Three Days are nearly upon us. It all begins next Sunday with the Liturgy of the Palms followed by the Liturgy of the Passion. 

This year, as none of us needs to be reminded, is different in many ways. And so this year, as we mark Palm Sunday on March 28th at 10.00am in an online service on Zoom, I want to invite you to participate in this service in a variety of ways:

  • Instead of our usual Palm Leaves, I invite you to collect some sort of native plant—perhaps a Cedar branch or something else—to wave in our online procession. The people in Jesus' time used what was available to them, and this year, we are invited to do the same. Perhaps you can find something in your garden, or on a walk nearby. Any piece of greenery will do. I imagine not everybody in the crowd that day had something to wave, so if you are unable to find something, please don't let that prevent you from participating in our service
  • The Passion Narrative is long, and has many parts. On Sunday, we will divide out the parts amongst the people who gather. 
  • If you are not on the parish email list, you will need to email the office to get the Zoom Link.

Throughout Lent, we have been collecting money in support of the PWRDF "Buy the Whole Farm" project. We have so far reached $285 of our $570 goal, meaning that we're halfway there. As you are able, please consider making an offering in support of this project either through your offering envelopes, or through a secure online donation on our parish website.

In Holy Week, we will be invited to participate in a variety of services. Here's an outline of what's to come:

  • Maundy Thursday (April 1, 2020) — An Online Service with St. Michael's Cathedral
  • Good Friday (April 2, 2020) — An Online Stations of the Cross in partnership with Kootenay Summits Parish 
  • Easter Day (April 4, 2020) — An Online Zoom Service with our Valhalla Parish Community

We will send out links to all of those who are on the parish email list next week. If you wish to participate in any of these upcoming services, but are not yet on the email list, please email valhallaparish@gmail.com to get in touch. 

And, for those seeking resources to mark this week in your household, I have attached idea cards for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day that you can use to guide your reflections. 

Every Blessing, 

Andrew Stephens-Rennie

Valhalla Parish Missioner

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