Most of what I know about the movie I have read (from a variety of sources) or gotten first hand from a few folks I know who have seen it. The reviews have been mixed. The depth of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity is vividly portrayed (some would say too vividly). The love shown between Jesus and his mother is apparently very moving. For some who have seen it, the movie was truthful and inspiring and a reaffirmation of their faith.

But, there are other negatives besides the violence. Some critics feel that the film caricatured or maligned Jews. Frankly, this makes me uncomfortable. With a resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world, I say, let’s not encourage any more intolerance. Some have stated that there is quite a bit in the film that is not in the Scriptures; maybe this is just Hollywood or maybe Mel has another agenda. If so, this troubles me. Some have stated that there is no message of redemption, hardly any word of forgiveness, scant attention to the rest of Jesus’ life, or to his resurrection. And the medieval passion plays upon which this genre is based were lacking in all these also.

I assume that most of us already know of Christ’s great sacrifice for us; we know of the depth of his love; we believe the gospel story deep in our hearts; and we know how it ends. This is kind of where I’m coming from in not seeing it. And I’m not sure I want to be left with those graphic, gory images that do not quickly fade from memory.

Beyond this, however, I think we in the Protestant church tradition with our primary accent on the empty cross (emphasizing the new life given to us through the resurrection) may have a different theological mind-set than do our Catholic brothers and sisters. They worship in churches with the crucifix, with Jesus still hanging upon the cross (emphasizing the sacrifice of the crucifixion) usually front and center. It is not a matter of either/or, just what gets accentuated more.

We Protestants go through the pilgrimage of Lent, experiencing the sorrows of the season, but doing so in the context of what is coming. At the far end of the Lenten journey stands the cross, but beyond the cross, God’s love and faithfulness to us on Easter. We acknowledge the passion of the Christ, yes, but we keep looking beyond this to the glory of the resurrection to come.

There’s a famous incident in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (from which this newsletter is named) that speaks to this point. The main character, Christian, is greatly burdened with a load on his back (his guilt and sins, if I remember correctly) until he comes to the Cross. Here’s how Bunyan puts it: "So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up to the Cross, his burden loosed from his shoulders, and fell off his back, and began to tumble … to the mouth of the Sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more. Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, ‘He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.’ … Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on his way singing."

It is the new life that we experience through the sacrifice of Christ that is our emphasis. For sure, that sacrifice was horrific. Our God in Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for us. But praise God, there is Easter morning. And Easter is a time for joyful leaps and singing hearts.

May the joy of the upcoming Easter season renew your spirits and lift your hearts.

Shalom,

Ken

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The Duxbury Interfaith Council is in need of some new leadership to organize and operate its Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring food basket program for the needy of our community. Eric Swanson has been doing this for several years, assisted by our own Diane Cederberg. They both have served faithfully and are now ready to pass the baton to others. The Council is looking for three or four people who could take on this important responsibility. Bob Merrifield from our congregation has agreed to be one of these, but the job is much bigger than for one person alone. If you feel God calling you to such an important ministry, speak to Ken Landall or call Eric Swanson (781-934-2207) for more details.

The Duxbury Interfaith Council is sponsoring its Easter Holiday basket project to benefit less fortunate neighbors in need of our help. Baskets will be sorted and packed at Holy Family Church on Thurs., 4/8, from 9-2, and hams and baked goods will be sorted and packed Fri., 4/9, from 9-12. Extra hands are always needed, any amount of time is appreciated, and parents are always welcome to bring children.

Donations being sought are:

FOOD DONATIONS – Yellow and green vegetable canned goods, non-frozen juice mix concentrate, packaged dessert mixes, and home baked goods; brownies, cookies, squares, cupcakes, and quickbreads. There is more of a need for home-baked goods at Easter. Please consider donating some as you are baking for your own families. They add a personal touch to the baskets and are very much appreciated by the families to whom these baskets go.

WHOLE BASKETS - Anyone interested in donating a whole prepared basket can call Eric Swanson @ 934-2207.

MONEY DONATIONS – Checks can be made payable to the Duxbury Interfaith Council and mailed to : P.O. Box 1161, Duxbury, MA 02331.

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Binh, the founder of Children of Peace, talked about the right and the need of every child to feel loved and valued. The over 4,500 children under her care are blessed to be so loved and valued. Dr. David DeHart, son of Don and Lynn DeHart of Duxbury, and his wife Julie, a pediatric nurse, accompanied Binh to Vietnam last year on a medical mission to care for Binh’s many children. He said that upon seeing Binh, the children would let out whoops of joy and surround her in great, excited crowds, reaching out for one of her hugs.

She has founded eleven schools and orphanages. She fills them with children she rescues from being sold into prostitution and with street children who turn to thievery to support themselves. Other children are abandoned at birth, by mothers who are overwhelmed by the children they already have. She has a school for deaf children, teaching them how to embroider and sew so that they can have a marketable skill and not have to sell themselves to keep alive. She has started a clinic / orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS. She gives out micro loans to single women with children to help them finance cottage industries so the family can stay together.

The Pilgrim church audience reacted to Binh’s slides with gasps of sorrow, as the children’s stories were told, and with smiles of pleasure at the happy faces of the children, now safe with Binh.

Her organization is almost fully run by volunteers. A question was asked as to why Binh receives no salary. "How much could I accept and still sleep at night?" she asked. "Even if it were as little as $5000 a year, with that money I could take in twenty-one more children for a year. How could I do that?"

Binh, now a wife and mother living in Colorado, found that she could not leave the lost children of Vietnam to their sorrowful fates. She, a woman of remarkable charisma and dedication, decided to do something…and she has.

If you would like to help, you could sponsor a child for $20.00 a month or you could donate to one of the ongoing projects. You may call Lynn or Don DeHart at 837-3668, or e-mail Binh Rybacki at childrenofpeace@hotmail.com.

Inspire your soul, awaken your senses, and fill your heart.

The atmosphere is casual, but the worship is serious.

April 3rd – "Remembering our Baptism"

Through Word, drama and music will remember

the gift of forgiveness and healing made known to us through Baptism

We will give thanks by celebrating Communion.

April 17 – "Praising God’s Creation"

Earth day comes once a year, but each day is

a day to admire God’s glorious world and

recommit ourselves to good stewardship of it’s rich resources.

SENIOR YOUTH FELLOWSHIP (SYF)

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS and/or INTERESTED ADULTS: Carl McDonald, our Massachusetts UCC Associate for Youth and CE ministries writes that a critical component of a successful, active youth ministry is a group of caring adults. With that in mind, we're establishing an SYF Advisory Group to help Rod and I lead this remarkable group of young adults. We envision the SYF Advisory Group meeting roughly quarterly to review SYF activities in the past few months and offer suggestions, advice, concerns and ideas for coming months. Additionally, we would look to our "advisors" to help out from time to time as chaperones, bakers, wheels or whatever. We're planning to meet for the first time in late May or early June, discussing the spring events that will have taken place and looking toward summer and Fall. If you are interested in joining us, please call or email. We, and the kids would be so grateful.

Terri and Rod Clark

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Daylight Savings begins on April 4^th – don’t forget to set your clocks one hour ahead on Saturday night, April 3^rd - !