I am so grateful for all the congregations and ministries in the Northwest Intermountain Synod who planned and hosted worship services this Holy Week for members and guests. Happy Easter! Wishing worship leaders some good Easter afternoon naps.

I started the week with my new home congregation, Faith Lutheran in Caldwell, which celebrated Palm Sunday.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday included lots of writing and meetings (in person and online). One in person meeting I was particularly grateful for this week was lunch with the Boise Presbyter Rachel and Methodist Sage District Superintendent Karen. They’ve both been at this judicatory work longer than I have and their perspective on our roles this week was helpful. And it’s always fun to get together with them and talk ideas and future collaborations.

Redeemer and Immanuel Lutheran, both in Boise, shared noon (Immanuel) and evening (Redeemer) Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services and I attended the noon Maundy Thursday service, with individual absolution and the Lord’s Supper.

King of Glory Lutheran, Boise was part of ecumenical Thursday and Friday services and Rachel and I were asked to participate in the Thursday service at Covenant Presbyterian Church. There was lots of ensemble and assembly music and our guest preacher was Pastor Michael Ross from First Baptist Church, who I got to know through the Multi Faith Action Project.

Friday evening I headed to Redeemer for the shared Good Friday worship. It was a beautifully traditional service with reading of the Passion according to John’s Gospel, Solemn Reproaches, and Adoration of the Cross.

Redeemer partnered with All Saints Episcopal for the Easter Vigil Saturday, but before I knew about that service I had arranged with a friend to attend Easter Vigil at the church my friend Father Dennis Reid serves, St. Stephen’s Episcopal.

This morning I was back at Faith Lutheran for Easter Worship, egg hunt, and Easter Brunch. It was a wonderful morning.

It ended up being a week full of wonderful worship services and quite a bit of ecumenism. Meanwhile, spring has definitely come to the Treasure Valley. I got a couples walks in along the Boise River and on the road in Canyon County behind my subdivision, catching views of the Owyhee Mountains.