All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 18, March 29, 2009

PASSIONTIDE AND VEILS

After our Thursday morning Mass, as we sat in the Rector’s office enjoying coffee, someone asked, “Why do we veil crosses in church?”  I was happy that Ed Perlman was in the room and could respond with his usual blend of correct information, terminology, dates and theological perspective.  Ed reminded the group that in older church practice, a first reading of the Passion (the part of the Gospel that describes Christ’s crucifixion and death) would be on the Fifth Sunday in Lent.  This Fifth Sunday was known as Passion Sunday and the fifth week of Lent along with Holy Week were called Passiontide.  In other words, this time was used to invite the church to focus upon the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Remnants of this tradition remain wherever crosses are veiled for the Fifth Sunday in Lent.  The crosses (never stained glass windows or the Stations of the Cross) remain veiled through Good Friday. 

As one liturgical scholar has put it, “The custom of veiling crosses and images in these last two weeks of Lent has much to commend it in terms of religious psychology, because it helps us to concentrate on the great essentials of Christ’s work of Redemption.” (Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Peter Elliott) I think Monsignor Elliott means that a veiled cross encourages the imagination and invites questions.  How would things be different if Jesus had NOT been crucified?  How might things be different if he had not died a human death?  How might we be different if he had not been raised from the dead?  A veiled cross also reminds us that even when we think we understand aspects of our Christian faith, there is always some part that remains hidden, as Saint Paul said, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Veils are mysterious.  Though controversial, some Middle Eastern women who wear veils have pointed out that beneath the veil, they are actually more free than some Western woman who feel as though they must conform to societal expectations and standards.  The veil, according to some, offers freedom.

 
As we contemplate the veils of Passiontide, may God free our minds and hearts to understand Christ’s gift of himself in new ways.  John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Jim Capen, Polly Mitchell, Bob Colburn, Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Frank Karel, Jimmy Hobbs, Mark, Jane Titterson, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field . . . Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

The blessings and prayers of the parish are extended to Sue Murrin and John Jost upon their marriage on Saturday, March 28, in St. Michael’s, Maryland.

Around the Parish . . . The April-May issue of The Message is available for pick up in the Undercroft.  Please save us the cost of postage by picking up your copy today. The date for submission of articles for the next issue (June/July/August) is Sunday, April 26 . . . Thanks to Robin Jones and Susan Morrison for coordinating the Wednesday night dinners for our Lenten series . . . Thanks to Mark Hoffman and all of those who helped with the Wise and Mature Luncheon last week . . . Join us for the Adult Forum this Sunday morning as we continue to explore ethical questions around life, death and in-between. This Sunday’s discussion is led by Will Coley. The forum meets at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft . . . Attendance Sunday, March 22 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 35; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 140 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $6,263.00. The plate offering was $897.00.

Liturgical Notes . . . During Lent the 8:30 a.m. Mass begins with the Penitential Order. The altar frontal and the priest’s vestments used during the season of Lent are of an unbleached linen and known as “lenten array.” Their simplicity is meant to call to mind the sackcloth and ashes of the biblical penitent. Lenten array, rather than purple, is an ancient custom associated with the Sarum use (from Salisbury Cathedral) since at least the eleventh century . . . Stations of the Cross is offered each Friday evening in Lent at 7:00 p.m. Join us for this forty-five minute devotion as we move through the church with prayers, silence and song . . . Except for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, flowers are not used at the High Altar until Easter.

Early Music Workshop with Philip Cave . . . “The Elizabethans: Music for the court, chamber and chapel from William Byrd to Orlando Gibbons,” will be offered July 7 through July 12 this summer at the National Cathedral.  The workshop is for all levels of singers from advanced high school age and up, choir directors, and for those who simply wish to sit and listen and learn about this music. For more information, pick up a brochure in the choir room or go to www.chorworks.com.

The Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts . . . Attention all artists and art lovers: A new, Chesapeake chapter of the Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts is forming. This national network (see www.ecva.org) exists to support people interested in the intersection of art and spirituality. An organizing meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 28 at the University of Maryland Episcopal Student Center, 4508 College Avenue, College Park (next to St. Andrew's Church). RSVP to the Rev. Peter Antoci at pantoci@umd.edu.

Stewardship Conference . . . Nathan Dungan, author, speaker, national expert on family finances and founder of Save Share Spend LLC, will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Stewardship Conference, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9 at Washington National Cathedral. Dungan also will offer a workshop at the conference, which is titled, “Navigating the Great Recession: Financial Leadership in Communities of Faith.” Other workshops include: Laura Bachmann on Christian Formation in a New World Economy; Cheryl Meyer on Fundraising Beyond the Annual Appeal: Funding for Special Projects and Events; and Canon Paul E. Cooney, who will lead a roundtable discussion and open Q&A. Cost of $30 includes lunch. Sign up at www.edow.org/events    Contact jsamilio@edow.org for more information.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church

The Reverend John Beddingfield, rector; The Reverend Christopher Worthley, adjunct clergy;

Mr. Isaac Borocz, parish administrator; Dr. Philip Cave, director of music and organist;
Mr. Oscar Prado, sexton

2300 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008-1505

Voice: 202-232-4244, Fax: 202-232-8593

Email: allsouls1@aol.com

www.allsoulsdc.org

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