The Easter holiday is supposed to be filled with joy and hope.

Even if you aren’t Christian, we in the temperate zones have the many rituals associated with Spring and renewal. We ministers are here to remind you that even when life ends, love goes on. And, sure, love in its many guises will go on as long as there is humanity.

But let’s face it. Some endings have no built-in resurrection, no easy explanation, and the best we can do is come to terms with them. When I’m no longer with you (and I just mean as your minister) I want to leave a few things behind.

Here’s the first. It’s three words: Come. To. Terms. Whether it’s your child, grandchild, client or Facebook friend, or you, sometimes the best advice when dealing with the irreconcilable losses and griefs of life is this: No, it won’t go away. But someday, you will come to terms with it.

Many of us are UUs because we think the literal interpretation of Biblical stories is nonsense, but worse than that, it causes harm. Easter, for example. The notion that suffering brings redemption has been used to subjugate women and explain their abuse by the Church for millennia.

And so on.

This Sunday, I will endeavor to unpack the crucifixion story of Easter by discussing some similarities between the crucifixion of Christ and the extrajudicial killings and lynchings of Black people. Know that the sermon itself will not go into any disturbing detail, but it will mention these events, in case they are triggers for you. On a much lighter note, I will also be talking about Easter in a Unitarian village in Transylvania, our friends the Roma families (FKA gypsies) and showing you how to make beautiful, easy Hungarian Easter eggs!

And you’ll be treated to some beautiful singing by our own Tina Conti. Not to be missed!

Note that you will be getting a link on Sunday morning and can view the service at any time on Sunday. Details will also be on our website.

In April, I will be taking the remainder of my study leave and although I plan to travel, I will still be available via email if you need me. I do plan to come to Nashville several times in May and June, and I’d like to start a list of folks who are fully vaccinated (I will be) and would like to either meet or have me visit.

I hope your Easter is joyful and your April is full of blossoms!

With Love,

Cynthia

March 31, 2021: And Sometimes, It's Just the End.