30.04.10 - How we celebrated Holy Week and Easter: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is one of those days in the church year that is simply overflowing with possibilities for liturgical creativity. In the past, however, the seminary's teachers and students have taken very small steps towards using those possibilities as to avoid the discomfort caused by the radically new in worship.

This year, however, Pastor Bradn Buerkle and 2nd year student Albina Zotova decided to take a risk by crafting a service that began to take advantage of the symbolism  the day offers.  Using the standard text of the day from John 13 as the central focus, the congregation's experience together brought them to a new way of accessing Jesus' radical ministry of service offered through his words, through the washing of feet, through sharing of the meal and, ultimately, to and through the cross.
   While it is not clear that all aspects of the liturgy were ideally planned and enacted, those who were in attendance that day not only were given 'food for thought,' but, hopefully, grew in their willingness and confidence in engaging in new forms of worship for the benefit of all.

--
Bradn Buerkle
Lecturer in Church History and Ethics
Novosaratovka Theological Seminary