March 25, 2026
Dear Friend,
Are you familiar with the Lenten Rose? It is an evergreen plant that blooms, quite literally, in winter (sometimes even in the snow). They grow all around my father’s house in North Carolina. My father and grandfather built the house with their own hands in the late 70’s; I remember well. It was my Grandmother, though, who chose the plants and trees that would live here so I always think of her, too. The leaves are just now emerging from many of the trees here, so here is a preview of the springing forth that is in our future. [Birdsong credits go to the cardinals and carolina wrens.]
The season of Lententide is long for the lenten rose (flowers last 2-3 months!). We have one more week of Lent, between now and Maundy Thursday, April 2nd. There is still time for a Lenten practice, or time to double down on the one you may have chosen 5 weeks ago.
We are approaching Holy Week, Friend. I can not issue an invitation that would be compelling enough to adequately convey how much more meaningful Easter will be if we take the time and put in a little effort to walk with our teacher on his final journey to Jerusalem, to listen with the disciples as Jesus offers his teachings, to struggle with a world that still groans under systemic inequality and the violence that the few unleash on the many, and to wonder with those who remained and to wonder how in the world to carry on in the aftermath of the public execution of a man who centered his life in healing, sharing, and uplifting in an effort to make whole.
The lenten rose blooms against all odds. Mark my words, Friend, and the words of our teacher when I remind us that love, truth, justice, and peace will bloom against all odds. We may not live to see it and that is ok. Our responsibility is to do our part to bring it about. May we draw great courage from what Jesus endured in his time on earth that we, too, may confront the forces within ourselves, within our families, and within our communities that seek to pull us apart. May we find, in what remains of this season of Lententide, a deeper familiarity with the indomitable powers of love and the pull towards unity. Jesus gave his life to assure us that there is so much more.
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” -Isaiah 58:11
More about the legends surrounding the lenten rose HERE.
Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday this Sunday, March 29th
Maundy Thursday service next Thursday, April 2nd
Easter Sunrise service 7:00 a.m. on Easter morning, April 5th
Easter Sunday Morning service 10:30, with Communion in the pews
Easter morning pot-luck brunch following the 10:30 service
Many thanks to all who made last night’s church supper possible. I was sorry to miss it; I am sure it was delicious!!!
Please join me in a spirit of prayer. God of the seasons of our lives, I pray that in the signs of emerging life we find hope for the future. I pray that in the midst of so much violence and disregard for the value of human life and the health of our planet that we can find assurance in the resilient forces that rise up despite all odds. The human spirit is strong and hungry. The human mind is seeking and creative. The human heart has a great capacity when fully opened to all the hurt and the healing. Make us brave in our vulnerability, I pray, like Christ. Like Christ. Amen.
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” -Isaiah 55:12
In service and devotion,
Traceymay
603-715-0990
Traceymaykalvaitis@gmail.com
Our mailing address is:
Dublin Community Church and the Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham
295 Cobb Meadow Rd
Dublin, NH 03444-8217
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