An Easter Letter from Pastor Gene

Easter is for many, the cumulative moment in the church year. Coming at the end of Holy Week, this incredible Sunday also effectively (and unofficially) marks the end of the church year for most of us. Clearly, Easter and the resurrection of Jesus are what so many churches are about…less the suffering of Good Friday and the agony of crucifixion, and way more the empty tomb and cross. Of course, this is important, but it’s only the beginning of the story. True, there were many rabbis, teachers and preachers living during Jesus’ time, but the story that we tell, about love and grace conquering death, a story of amazed visitors to an empty tomb, footraces to spread the word, and pondering all things within Mary’s heart is what makes this time unique.

In just a couple of weeks, we find ourselves swept into the drama of Jesus’ appearance on the beach, cooking breakfast for the Disciples, and reassuring Peter that he still loves him. The road to Emmaus follows, and so on and so on. The beauty of Easter is that it is just the beginning of a re-birth, a new start, and a time for us to be amazed by what is possible when we truly believe, after all options have seemingly been eliminated. Easter is the greatest come-from-behind story ever told, and it’s what keeps us coming back time and again.

It's that last piece that I really want you to hold onto this year. Times are…well, wild. We’ve had so many conversations about the changes we’re all seeing, living through, and hearing about both at SUM and all around us. For many of us, these times are causing incredible worry. If Easter teaches us nothing else, it should always remind us that you have to play every minute, read every page, and never stop believing. A new journey awaits all of us, with my move and your new pastor. I want you to remember that a resurrection story doesn’t need to only remind us that coming back from death was possible. I think that it can and should also remind us never to count ourselves out, that God isn’t done with us, and that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

Thanks to the triumph of the Holy Spirit, the spreading of this amazing tale, and the staggering events of Pentecost, you and I have the power within us to do incredible things. The story isn’t over…in fact, it hasn’t even begun.

Happy Easter!

OTJ,
PG