Lent, Holy Week & Easter

The Way of the Cross is our Lenten Theme for 2024. The Way of the Cross is a virtual pilgrimage using 14 images / stations at which people pause to pray and reflect with Jesus from his Condemnation by Pilate through his Crucifixion and ending with Jesus being Laid in the Tomb. We are blessed to have a wonderful set of Stations of the Cross painted by an unknown German artist in circa 1868 and donated by James and Patti Austen. For many years, our members have made this pilgrimage using these beautiful images. 

An exciting part of our Lenten programming this year will be an art installation by 6 different contemporary artists. Their art pieces will depict the same 14 stations as their Nineteenth century counterparts and be placed near them. The art media varies with examples of: water color, painting with acrylics, quilting/fiber arts, digital imaging, photography, and collage. The artists include: Jory Mertens, Susie Bewick, Jordan Murdock, Brenda Squyres, Carol Peterson, and Ted Estes. 5 of the 6 artists are Episcopalians with one being a seminarian, one a deacon, and one a priest. Fr. Estes, Dcn. Peterson & seminarian, Jory Mertens, have put the program together.

The juxtaposition of the contemporary images with the traditional paintings is designed to provide new insights to people who are reflecting on Jesus’ Via Dolorosa (way of sorrow). This spiritual experience will be open to the public and you are encouraged to bring family and friends to walk the Way of the Cross. The new and old stations will be open to the public on  the First Sunday in Lent, February 18, from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. Wednesdays of Lent, February 21, 28 and March 6, 13, 20 we will have the Stations available for public viewing from 5pm to 6:30pm. On these Wednesdays, there will also be a member led Way of the Cross at 5:30pm followed by mass in St. James Chapel at 6pm, a simple supper at 6:30pm, and a Lenten program from 7pm to 8pm. The Lenten program will feature our artists discussing their artistic process and a group discussion of the themes present in the Stations. Private viewings for groups of 10 or more may be scheduled by calling the church.