We celebrated Easter Sunday on April 5, 2015 with an open-minded
interpretation of the Easter story, a delicious YRUU Brunch, and the annual
appearance of the dancing Easter Bunny.
Except as noted, the photos below were taken by Steve Scott.
YRUU members had a lock-in Saturday evening to begin preparations
for the brunch. Kitchen work continued Sunday morning before and during
worship. (Photo by Andrew Twaddle)
Qhyrrae Michaelieu assisted in the kitchen. (Photo by Andrew
Twaddle)
Lisa Fritsche, Director of Religious Education, hid cans of food
outdoors for the younger children's annual Easter can hunt. The cans were
later taken to the Food Bank. (Photo by Andrew Twaddle)
The Chalice Table awaited the worship service, adorned by a rose.
(Photo by Andrew Twaddle)
Meredith Donaldson, new co-chair of the Caring Ministry Coordinating
Team, drew attention during opening announcements to two Order of Service
inserts, one describing the team's work and the other providing
congregants with options for helping.
Neil Minturn on keyboard and Sarah Williams on trumpet performed the
prelude, "Pomposo from Sonata for Trumpet and Keyboard" by Henry Purcell.
A full house listened to the prelude.
Worship Associate Will Palmer performed
the chalice-lighting.
The UU Singers performed "For the Beauty of the Earth," directed
by Desi Long at right and accompanied at Sam Otten at left.
Andrew Twaddle and Melissa Ensign-Bedford
presented a reading, "At the Gate."
Will Palmer and Stephanie Dorman presented
the second part of the reading, "At the Cross."
The final part of the reading, "At the
Tomb," was presented by Stephanie Dorman and Melissa Ensign-Bedford.
Rev. Molly delivered her sermon, "Beauty Breaks In," in which she
reflected on the relevance of the Easter Story to Unitarian Universalist
principles and practice and explored whether the idea of resurrection
points us to the places where beauty and hope break through into the dark
and difficult times of life.
Kadie Elmore introduced a Faith-to-Action Collection for Missouri
Faith Voices.
Sarah Williams on trumpet and Desi Long at
the piano performed the offertory, "Theme and Variations" by Handel.
Among a number of UUs wearing Easter hats were Casey and Peter
Holmes.
More Easter hats – UUCC Minister Emerita Gertrude
Lindender-Stawski, right, and her daughter, Margo Lindener. (Photo by Andrew Twaddle)
After worship, congregants had the opportunity to see the 163 oars
representing the number of pledges received during our recent successful
stewardship campaign.
Stewardship Team member Ene-Kaja Chippendale snapped this photo
of Stewardship Chair Steve Scott standing next to the "speed control"
showing that the stewardship campaign exceeded its target of $260,000.
Total pledges are now $287,125.
Hungry congregants lined up in the Greeting Area to await their
turn at the serving window for the YRUU Brunch.
YRUU members dished out quiche, ham,
bacon, pancakes, scrambled eggs and fruit.
An annual tradition at the YRUU Easter Brunch is the "election" of a
prominent church member to dance in a bunny suit. Congregants "vote" by
putting money in baskets for the candidates. Retiring Director of
Religious Education was clearly winning, so she began reconciling herself
to her fate by posing at the balloting table wearing bunny ears.
Congregants enjoyed good food and
conversation during the brunch. Proceeds from the brunch are used for the
YRUU program.
Lisa Fritsche made her grand entrance as
the dancing Easter Bunny while her amused husband, Kevin, at left, looked
on.
Lisa invited others to join her in
dancing.
Several adults and chlidren heeded the call, as seen in this short
video.
Gena Scott was sated by good food and happy after the amusing dance.
