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From Intern Beth…

Thank you to Leah, Teresa, Trish, Erin, Linda, Trey, Sam, Michelle, Olga, Matt, Carol and Campbell, Ruth Ann, Pastor Steve, Sara, Chris, Larry, Kendall and Susie, Mandy, Dean, Gerald and Micah, Kenny, Heidi, and all others who have sent me words of encouragement, support, and love. Being so overwhelmed with your words, it’s taken me some time to work my way through them all but know that I hold all of your messages in my heart. I cannot express enough how fortunate and blessed I feel to have joined this St. Paul family. 

As I have journeyed alongside each of you here, I’ve enjoyed my time spent engaging in the wider community, exploring the area, and participating in the traditions you all have here. As I look back on this past month, gathering alongside the first communion class at the Seder meal has been one of my favorite times here.  

Having its roots in Exodus 12, the Seder Passover meal is a gathering of families and communities around a meal to celebrate God delivering Israel from Egypt. The meal consists of specific foods that each have significance in the heritage of the Israelites; foods like matzah, or unleavened bread, to remind us of the quick departure from Egypt when the Israelites had limited time to make bread for the departure and bitter herbs to serve as a reminder of the tears and the bitterness Israelite ancestors experienced in slavery. This covenant meal and its traditions were taught to Moses and Aaron and passed on through generations. 

Years later, when Jesus gathers with his disciples for his last supper, they gather together to celebrate the Passover Seder. At this meal, he created a new covenant with them, and with us, sharing his body and blood. As the rest of Holy Week unfolds from there, ultimately ending with Jesus’ resurrection we learn more clearly the significance of his new covenant. 

Gathering alongside the youth, family, and friends of St. Paul for the Seder meal this year was the first time I participated in the ancient tradition. As I sat at the meal, I couldn’t help but think about the generations and generations of people who have and continue to gather for this meal yearly. From the families alongside Moses and Aaron who were able to finally celebrate their freedom to the disciples who gathered with Jesus learning the reality of what was to happen next to the families who gather together here to recognize and celebrate the youth who continue learning and growing in their faith. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive community, a more welcoming church, a more loving family to sit alongside at my first Seder meal.