An 8-week virtual pilgrimage on Thursday evenings in March and April 2022
The narrative arc of our Christian journey begins at the moment of creation and comes to its climax with the Resurrection of Jesus. The story continues from there with the post-resurrection narratives of Jesus consoling, healing, and commissioning the disciples to be apostles of the Good News.
The Great Vigil of Easter, often held on the Saturday night before Easter or very early on Easter morning, is a defining moment in the life of the early Christian community and in our own
Christian journeys. It is dramatized the movement from Creation to Resurrection with a cycle of readings from the Hebrew scriptures – the scriptures of Jesus.
The weekly classes begin the day after Ash Wednesday, and during Lent we will look at the themes of the Great Vigil as they are developed in the readings of the Anglican Book of Alternative Services and in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. We will reflect on ways in which the journey from Creation to Resurrection mirrors our own human journeys.
We take a break during Holy Week and then gather again for three weeks after Easter to see how Jesus’ appearances after the Resurrection invite us into a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ.
Part of the journey will include reflecting on our baptism, and why the renewal of baptismal vows is so central to the Great Vigil. Along the way we will also enjoy some of the art and music related to the cycle of readings both before and after Easter.
Parishes and other church groups may attend together. Breakout discussion times will provide an opportunity for parish groups to get to know each better and share each other’s spiritual journeys. For those who join as individuals, the breakout groups will provide an opportunity to meet new friends.
Led by Sr. Constance Joanna Gefvert, a member of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine for 37 years, a priest of the diocese of Toronto. and an adjunct instructor at Wycliffe College. She is in the process of updating her book, From Creation to Resurrection, to include the additional readings for the Great Vigil from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. A PDF version of the manuscript will be available before the start of the classes and is included in the cost of the series.