Easter Day

‘Thanks be to God.’

This penitential season ends with a celebration and affirmation – and it’s high time to step through and beyond these 40 days of creeds, and enjoy the triumphant music of Easter Day Alleluias. Remember my father’s wisdom: “Do you believe all that stuff? I go for the music!”

Remember that I warned you at the beginning of a three-legged stool of believing, belonging, and behaving? It’s time for some balance. We’re planning communion next week, a potluck lunch that day, and a bigger fun’raiser Saturday May 7. You belong here, fine points of creeds aside.

I’m hoping that you can still affirm some beliefs! We are no longer a purely confessional church, though, as our Calvinist roots were. Creeds are not tests that include or exclude you like fences. Remember that I suggested the image of a spring or a salt lick, that you could approach or avoid as you would – but that I hope has met a thirst or appetite of yours.

It’s a good closing prayer, often offered in critical moments, and can be even shorter than this closing line of the creed. You say to your God ‘you know all that stuff I was thinking about and looking for and trying to do? Just for now, just for me, here – I’m going to let go and let God.’

‘Thanks.’

Even better – write your own affirmation of faith. What do you believe, this Easter Day, and how would you say it, and with whom? What words work for you – or will you simply show it and live it, with the conversation continuing in your head for a while yet?