The Day after the day after easter

As I write these words, it is Tuesday, April 2, 2024. It’s the day after the day after Easter. Yesterday I took the day off, trying to recover from Easter Sunday. But today it was time to get back to the office. Pastor Betsy of Mount Vernon Methodist was coming in just as I was, and she had that “not quite recovered” look on her face. I asked her how she was feeling and she just kind of groaned.

Easter is a mixed bag when you are a pastor. There is the excitement of resurrection, the joy of the empty tomb, and voices raised in praise. But Holy week is a busy time. There are extra services, additional planning, and the adrenaline rush that leaves you feeling a little woozy when it wears off.

It was a little easier for me this year, for I was able to piggyback on other pastor’s efforts. On Maundy Thursday we joined the Methodists at Mount Vernon for their Passover Haggadah service. All I had to do was show up and participate. Nice! Then on Easter Sunday morning we joined Kingstowne Communion Church for their sunrise service at Nalls Produce. Again, all I had to do was show up. It’s kind of nice to be able to sit back and watch sometimes.

A little while ago pastor Betsy walked by my office, stuck her head in the door and said, “This job is exhausting!” She was on her way to a meeting, after which she was leading a small group, which would be followed by some visits. I chose to spend my time and energy doing some reading, making some phone calls, and writing a newsletter article. (After 37 years I have learned to pace myself)

It is exhausting sometimes, but I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do. God has allowed me to do what I wanted to do, in the place I wanted to do it, among the people I wanted to do it with. I LOVE BEING THE PASTOR AT VIRGINIA HILLS! Thank you for letting me be your pastor. Now it’s time for me to go home and take a nap.