Ecumenical Services Scheduled For Easter Morning
If you’re looking for an Easter service to attend Sunday, you’re in luck - even if you don’t go to a specific church regularly.
You won’t feel out of place at the ecumenical service at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, or at the Unity Church of Truth’s community worship service at the Opera House. Both are designed to bring worshipers from all or no traditions together.
The Spokane Council of Ecumenical Ministries’ Easter celebration at Greenwood, 211 N. Government Way, is a sunrise service starting at 6:30 a.m. The event happens at the Lofty Cross of Inspiration, a large cross sculpture overlooking the city.
True to its ecumenical theme, the featured speaker is the Rev. Rob Kugler, a Lutheran pastor who is an assistant professor of religion at Jesuit-run Gonzaga University. Kugler’s message will be “The Victorious Christ.”
Liturgists for the event are the Rev. John Olson, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Jim Burford, associate regional minister for the Northwest Regional Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
Celtic harp, dulcimer and guitar music will be performed by David and Megan Beach. Margaret Doane, a member of Westminster Congregational Church, will lead worshipers in symbolic movements during the closing hymn.
Mary Stamp, the administrative coordinator of sponsoring council, said the annual service at Greenwood attracts 600 to 1,000 people.
“It’s people from all sorts of churches, and that’s what the council is about - making people aware of what they have in common,” Stamp said.
Later in the day, the Unity Church of Truth’s Opera House service, with the theme “Let the Dreamers Wake the Nations,” starts at 11 a.m. A special children’s service starts at the same time in the Convention Center.
This year’s celebration will end with an Earth Day tie-in.
“We’re looking to fill the house this year,” said Mary True, chair of the event. The message will be delivered by Austin and Mary Hennessey, senior co-ministers of Spokane’s Unity Church.
Music plays a big role in this annual service, too. Featured is Tonya Ferris, a songwriter from the Seattle area. Local musicians performing are Mark Norton on piano; Keith LaMotte (who has played at the event all of its 19 years) on trumpet; Stephen Croteau and Ron Luna on percussion; Doug Folkins on bass; and Randy Twillegar on guitar.
Children’s worship will be led by Leroy White, who is billed as a “modern-day minstrel who presents his message of joy and self-discovery through music and fun.”
Suggested offering for the service is $10.
Nigerian cuisines, African tales
After the holiday, a sharp departure from Easter ham might be just the ticket.
Al Alexander of Alexander’s Epicurean Catering will serve his Nigerian palate-tempters at a series of dinners sponsored by the Spokane Council of Ecumenical Ministries.
The annual event is a fund-raiser for the council and its monthly newspaper, The Fig Tree.
The first dinners will be chicken with ground nut sauce, brown rice and callaloo. Those dinners will be at 6 p.m. Friday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 503 N. Walnut Road, and at 6:30 p.m. April 29 at St. Patrick’s Parish School, 5021 N. Nelson.
Pepper beef stew with barley and mixed greens comprise the second series. Those dinners, both at 6 p.m., will be served April 27 at Park Heights Baptist Church, 5101 S. Freya, and April 28 at Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, 411 S. Washington.
Both dinner series will include candied yam pastry, fruit and coconut salad and corned bread.
Reservations and donations of $8.50 for adults and $5 for children are requested. Children under age 5 eat free.
Call 624-5156 or 535-1813 for reservations.
Catholic council to meet
Deborah Marken of the domestic violence program at Sacred Heart Medical Center is the keynote speaker for the spring meeting of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
The event will be at St. Anthony Church, 2329 N. Cedar, on Wednesday. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the $5 fee includes lunch.
For reservations, call Denise Spores at 328-7193.