Easter the 360 Degree View

i find that the week after Easter should be considered a paid work week, with days off for those who work in a church full time.  Why?, you might ask?  The only other twist to me is the clergy have it off, but still prep for the sermon on Easter II.  Yes, writing sermons are challenging and work, but the Sunday after Easter Sunday has the same reading all three years;  you may not have noticed it as the second Sunday is also known as Low Sunday.  Low Sunday, the smallest day in attendance.

Back to why the lay and ordained ministers need the week off, except for the sermon or educational preps for the next Sunday, we also have a high expectation of the clergy and lay employee's to be spiritually healthy.  In the midst of ministry during Palm Sunday thru Easter Sunday, 8 days, it is full of tasks and engagement with various members of the church.  Heaven forbid any deaths or family emergencies of parishioners occur to add to a busy week or taxes are due that week.  A 'minister' in the church has worked day and night for 8 days to create Holy Chaos in the beauty of liturgy and worship with regulars and once or twice visitors.  The energy needed for this work is hard to explain, but it is quite high.  The week off except basics to cover the ministry that next Sunday, is needed to give the ministers time for reflection, rest, and their own 360 degree version of a new awakening.

Stats for Holy Week.  There are at least 8 services in a church with two Sunday services only.  If there are more than those two you just keep adding on.  That means 8 services, liturgies, enough bread and wine, music, preparation for music, bulletins, servers organized and rehearsed for these once a year but different services, and at least childcare at most of these events;  there are at least 10 needs for childcare.  There are relationships, calls, emails, and mail to respond to like any other week.  There are usually at least two sometimes up to 4 rehearsals. Numbers can go on.  It is important to allow those who 'minister' to relax and renew themselves.

i mentioned in the first paragraph that the lesson for the Sunday after Easter is the same lesson for each year.  It is.  The story is that of Doubting Thomas, probably one of the most like us stories in the bible.  It seems amazing to me that the creators of the Lectionary have a magnificent follow-up to the Resurrection and the basic humanity in each of us, yet it is story that has rich lessons.  Break low Sunday and hear or at least read a Doubting Thomas sermon.