Skip to Main Content

Encouragement for Your Steps: A Holy Week Reflection

Posted: March 26 2024 at 07:44 AM
Author: Bishop Dan Schwerin


Grace and Peace to you, Siblings in Christ.

Every day of our lives is an unfolding of Holy Week. Some of our moments are euphoric. Some moments turn the tables on money changers. Some of our moments feature washing and newness. Some of us live in the disillusionment of Good Friday. Some of us are unplaneted by joy. The God-relatedness of all of it is holy.

For me, there have been times that hearing a judge’s verdict from the bench is holy. To be an empty-handed shepherd with someone who is dying is holy. To hear a sermon reveal that we are both broken and blessed is holy. To hear another language sing about devotion is holy. There is no end to the things that are holy. Drink it all in this week, each step behind Jesus, praying in the garden, staying awake, fear of the empire, and living the questions.

in the garden
the near side of God
healing the human ear
can put
your swords away

A blessed holy week and the fullness of Easter joy to you. May peace and well-being come to the whole earth.

Know that I am praying for you.

 

Bishop's 2024 Easter Greeting from Northern Illinois Conference on Vimeo.

 

 

News & Announcements

Clearingtreeroof22024cr

Disaster Response Team ‘Lumberjacks’ Helped Clear Hurricane-Hit Town

More people of Valdosta, GA, can repair their homes after Northern Illinois Conference’s early response volunteers removed fallen trees in that area.

Immigrantgrantrecipsdetail

Immigrants and Refugee Ministries Grants Boost Hope

New neighbors in Northern Illinois who came from other lands are experiencing God’s love through God’s people, thanks to the 14 churches and organizations that received confe…

24 Town And Rural Discussion 1

Keagy Grants grow rural churches’ ministries with their neighbors

Representatives from 27 churches met on Nov. 2 at Grace United Methodist Church in Dixon to celebrate 31 grant-supported projects impacting local communities.…

Bekindtooneanothersignsm

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Schwerin: Seek God, Nonviolence, and the Welfare of the Whole

Bishop Schwerin asks Northern Illinois United Methodists to turn to their faith communities and our means of grace: worship, prayer, com…

Print