Holy Week services at St. Michael's
BRATTLEBORO - St. Michael's Episcopal Church has special services during Holy Week and Easter. All are welcome at each service. St. Michael's is at 16 Bradley Ave in Brattleboro and is fully accessible. Contact the Church office with any questions at 802-254-6048 or Jeanie@stmichaelsvermont.org.
On Wednesday, March 28, the Tenabrae service, “The Service of Shadows,” begins at 5:30 p.m. This is a quiet and contemplative service of scripture and poetry readings, cello music, Taize chants, and singing.
The Maundy Thursday service on March 29 begins at 5:30 p.m. with a potluck supper. This service commemorates the Last Supper and includes, if you choose, footwashing or hand washing. After the meal, congregants go to the candle-lit sanctuary and experience the stripping of the altar.
This service will be interactive and great for children as well as adults. Anyone is welcome to stay after the service in a spirit of prayer and silence, staying as late as midnight. Stations of the Cross will be set up for those who wish to pray in that way. At the top of each hour until midnight, there will be a brief time of collective prayer.
There are Good Friday services on March 30 at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. This day is a day of mourning for the death of Jesus and for our own sins. No Eucharist is celebrated.
On Saturday, March 31, there is a service of walk and meditation which begins at 9 a.m. Meet outside the Chapel at St. Michael's and walk together to the Retreat Cemetery for reading and meditations. This service is about experiencing the grief, disorientation, and wonder the disciples and followers of Jesus felt after the crucifixion.
The Great Vigil of Easter service on March 31 begins at 7 p.m. when “we light the new fire of Easter and move from darkness to light, telling the ancient stories and proclaiming the Easter message, 'Christ is Risen!'” according to a news release. Participants are invited to bring bells and other musical instruments.
Easter Sunday, April 1, is the most important day of celebration in the Christian year. There is a service at 8 a.m. and another service at 10:15 a.m., which includes the joyful music of Easter.
Good Friday service in Wilmington
WILMINGTON - A special Good Friday service will be held Friday, March 30, at 6 p.m., at the Wilmington Baptist Church.
Taking part in the service will be Rev. Ellen Bailey, Rev. John Brigham, Rev. Marcia Dorey, Linda Farrington, Rev. Mark Herrick and Alice Herrick, Rev. Doug LaPlante, and Rev. Jim Strysko.
Performing musical selections will be Jan Durfey's Choir, the Breakfast Club Men's Choir, Linda Sherman, and John and Liz Wheeler. All are invited to attend.
Easter services in Deerfield Valley
There will be an Easter Sunrise Service, at 7 a.m., on Town Hill in Whitingham on Sunday, April 1, put on by the Jacksonville Community Church. Coffee will be available.
A special Easter Service celebrating our Risen Lord will be held on Sunday, April 1, at 9:15 a.m., at the Jacksonville Community Church, and at 11 a.m. at the Wilmington Baptist Church. All are invited to attend.
Sunrise service in Marlboro
MARLBORO - Marlboro Meeting House will celebrate Easter with a sunrise service inside at 6:30 a.m.
Pastor Michael Mario's Easter message is “Fearsome and Wonderful.” The Scripture reading will be Matthew 28:1-20. Hymns include “Morning Has Broken,” “I Love To Tell The Story,” and “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today.”
A Potluck breakfast follows the service. There is a chair lift to the second floor. Marlboro Meeting House is located on South Road, one-half mile from Route 9.