The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary-in-the-Highlands, Cold Spring, once
again plans two somewhat untraditional steps in trying “to heal old wounds”
for Easter.
The initiatives, to take place during Holy Week, will begin with a
special appeal to all “wounded Christians” to come to this year’s Maundy
Thursday Mass, April 8th.
“There are too many people who don’t go to church because they have
been hurt or scandalized by Church abuses or feel they have been judged and
rejected”, the Rector of St Mary’s, the Reverend Shane Scott-Hamblen
explained. “St Mary’s is asking them to give the Church a second – or
third – chance”.
He noted that when the idea was first broached, some feared it would look
as if St Mary’s was attempting to “steal” people from other churches.
However, as he emphasized, “that is not our intention.
Rather, we want to find those who have ‘fallen between the cracks –
that’s what the Church is supposed to do.’”
According to the priest and people of St Mary’s, the Maundy Thursday
Mass offers an extremely appropriate time for such an outreach.
Occurring three days before Easter, “Maundy” Thursday takes its name
from the Latin “Mandatum Novum” (New Commandment) namely, to love one
another. St Mary’s hopes to show
that the Church exists to include people – not to exclude them.
At the Maundy Thursday Mass everyone is reminded of Christ washing the
feet of the Apostles. This re-enactment is intended to remind Christians that they
are to serve and be merciful – never to be judgmental. The other part of the Mass commemorates the Last Supper.
The Episcopal Church believes in the ‘real presence’ of the
Eucharist, that the bread and wine become the mysterious Body and Blood of
Christ. Furthermore, the Episcopal Church has a policy of ‘open communion’,
allowing anyone, from any denomination, to receive Holy Communion.
“The Episcopal Church would never bar someone from Communion because
they are not perfect. On the
contrary”, said the Rector, “those of us who are not perfect are the
ones who need the Eucharist the most.”
But Maundy Thursday only represents half of St Mary’s endeavor.
On Holy Saturday night, April 10th, at the Great Easter Vigil,
the church again intends to take its second bold step, right up to the Baptismal
Font. The church will continue to
welcome – with “no questions asked” - any un-baptized person who wants to
be baptized.
Those interested are requested to either telephone the Rector anytime
(265-2539) or, simply, arrive at the church at 6:30, so that the certificates
can be prepared.
St Mary’s is reaching out to all those who have been denied baptism in
the past – for whatever ‘reason’. They
hope that parents or adults who forgot or “never quite got around to it”, as
well as those who were formerly turned away, will take full advantage of this
invitation. Quite a few families responded to last year’s invitation.
For Christians around the world, Holy Week is the most solemn time of the
year enacting Christ’s last days before his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
“I know these ‘invitations’ are controversial for some, and that
the more conservative Christians will believe we are offering ‘Cheap Grace”,
admitted Fr Shane, “but our understanding is that Grace is never cheap – it
is Free”.
Saint Mary-in-the-Highlands is located at the corner of Routes 9D and
301, Cold Spring. The telephone
number is (845) 265-2539.
The Maundy Thursday Mass will be on April 8th at 7:00 pm, the
Ecumenical Good Friday Service will be on the 9th at 12:00, and the
Great Easter Vigil will be on the 10th at 7:00 pm (those wanting to
be baptized are asked to arrive at 6:30 pm).