Go to Dark Gethsemane

As many of you know, I am on the faculty at Episcopal High School. The spring season at EHS brings a palpable, almost frantic energy to the Holy Hill. Between grading papers, courting newly admitted students, preparing musical arrangements, and managing the bittersweet, chaotic hubbub of the senior class’s final weeks, the noise is deafening. In the midst of this whirlwind of events the invitation of Holy Week feels entirely counterintuitive. My natural instinct is to seek refuge in the light of Easter, and it makes me ask the question, “Why linger in the shadows of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday?”

A common answer that I often find myself defaulting to is that we must endure the darkness of Holy Week to truly appreciate the light of Easter. While this is true, this rationale has fallen a little short for me this year. This year it feels as if this rationale treats the agony of the cross as a narrative device used only to make the impending joy more striking. I feel as though I’ve ignored the true argument for turning towards this difficult story, which runs much deeper than the mechanics of contrast.

I often grapple with and make sense of my faith through the hymnody of the church. This usually happens when a specific hymn plays on a loop in my head, which is often a sign that my subconscious is trying to work something out. For the past few weeks, that hymn has been “Go to dark Gethsemane” (the full text is included below). The title itself feels like a command and implores the singer to move toward the darkness because it is the ultimate antidote to the illusion of human control. Many of our daily routines are built on a framework of achievement, persuasion, and success. We are conditioned to solve problems, to outrun doubt, and to mask our failures. But in the garden and at the cross, that entire framework is dismantled.

To sit in the garden is to witness Jesus grappling with mortal doubt. To stand at the foot of the cross is to look unblinking at Mary’s shattering anguish as she watches her son die. To observe the disciples is to see human loyalty crumble into fear and betrayal. The story does not ask us to fix the various character’s grief, nor does it rescue them from it. Instead, it forces us to give up control and be intimately present in moments of absolute helplessness and failure.

When we try to rush past this reality, we inadvertently teach ourselves that our own seasons of grief and doubt are unholy. We treat them as things to be skipped over in order to get to “the good part.” But the hymn instructs otherwise: “Watch with Him one bitter hour... Learn of Jesus Christ to pray... Learn of Him to bear the cross.” The discipline of relinquishment teaches us how to inhabit the spaces in life where not everything can be fixed. 

The world floods us with negativity, and it is tempting to use the joy of Easter as a spiritual anesthetic to numb that pain. Turning away from the darkness, however, does not conquer it; it merely leaves us alone when we inevitably face it ourselves. By confronting Judas’s betrayal, Peter’s denial, and Jesus’s crucifixion, we look the world’s profound brokenness squarely in the eye. The story reveals a God who does not hover above the suffering of the world offering empty platitudes, but rather one who enters its epicenter. 

We do not go to dark Gethsemane merely to prepare for Easter Sunday. We go there because, quite often, Gethsemane is exactly where humanity already is. We go because a faith that cannot survive the trauma of Good Friday is too fragile to sustain us through the harsh realities of life. Sitting with the grief of Holy Week consecrates our own suffering, providing the profound reassurance that even in our deepest anguish, doubts, and failures, we are not abandoned. 

It is my hope that you will join me this week and move into the darkness. 

Go to dark Gethsemane,
You who feel the tempter's pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see;
Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away;
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

Follow to the judgment hall;
View the Lord of life arraigned;
O the worm-wood and the gall!
O the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suff'ring, shame, or loss;
Learn of Him to bear the cross.

Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb
There’ adoring at His feet,
Mark the miracle of time,
God's own sacrifice complete:
“It is finished!” Hear the cry;
Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

Early hasten to the tomb
Where they laid his breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom;
Who hath taken Him away?
Christ is ris’n! He meets our eyes:
Savior, teach us so to rise.
 

Text by James Montgomery; listen to the hymn here.

Mike Schmidt, Music Minister

Holy Week & Easter Day Worship Schedule

Maundy Thursday, April 2

7:00 PM  Eucharist with foot washing and the stripping of the altar. 
 

Vigil with the Reserve Sacrament

April 2, 9:00 PM–April 3, 12 Noon
Please sign up here to take a shift during the overnight Vigil.
 

Good Friday, April 3

12 Noon   A service marking the holy fast of Good Friday focused on prayer and Jesus’s Passion as read from the Gospel of John.
 

Easter Day Services, April 5

6:30 AM  Sunrise Eucharist
A simple Easter liturgy at Sunrise in the Memorial Garden (or in the church if it rains).

9:30 AM  Eucharist with Choir
A fulsome celebration of Easter Day with plenty of joyful music. Overflow seating will be available in the Parish Hall. No Children's Worship.

Tonight: Overnight Vigil with Reserve Sacrament

The practice of keeping watch with our Lord can be traced to Christ’s appeal to His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane on the eve of the crucifixion, “Could you watch one hour with me?” By signing up to keep an hour of vigil with the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose, we can answer Jesus with an emphatic “yes.” Please sign up here to take a shift of the overnight Vigil.

Questions? Contact the Rev. Furlow.

Rites of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, & Reception

You are cordially invited to discern a call to baptism, confirmation, reception, or renewal of baptismal vows in the Episcopal Church on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 24 at St. Michael’s. 

If you are curious or interested in participating in one of these rites of initiation, please sign up here for the 3-session Rites of Initiation Class that I will host on the Sundays of April 19, April 26, and May 17 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM in the church library (or hybrid via Zoom). 

This class will be an opportunity to build deeper relationships with others at St. Michael’s, discuss the importance of baptismal vows, and learn about how our parish community of St. Michael’s attempts to live them out on a local level. 

All rites of the initiation in the church are rooted in baptism. However, depending on your specific background, confirmation or reception may be the right rite for you (pardon the pun). Please be in touch with me if you’re not sure.  

The Rev. Mark Furlow, Interim Rector

Faithful Parenting: Talking About Healthy Friendships and Beyond

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to connect with your child about healthy relationships?

Where do you even begin? What should you say—and where can you turn for help?

We've got you covered! Join the Doorways Prevention Team on April 12 from 4–5:30 PM as we work together to help guide families through what can prove to be some of life's most challenging—and most important—conversations.

Whether you're parenting a toddler or a teenager, this session will explore how to effectively talk with your children about healthy friendships and relationships through all ages and stages. Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical tools and confidence as you support your child's journey.

The workshop will take place in the Parish Hall and childcare will be provided in the lower classroom from 4-5:30 PM. Snacks and fellowship will follow the session.

Please RSVP for planning purposes and contact Karen Ruff with any questions.

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

Contact: Evelyn Bence

Stumbling Stones Planning Meeting

Saturday, April 4, 10:00 AM, St. Michael’s Library

We are having an initial planning meeting to develop next steps for St. Michael’s participation in the Stumbling Stones project to memorialize enslaved people in Arlington. We hope to identify individuals that were enslaved on the property now occupied by the church. We will plan to meet in the church library, but participation by Zoom is also an option.

If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Vicki Barnett or Caroline Haynes.

See more information about the Stumbling Stones Project here.

Game Nite Was a Success!

The inaugural St. Michael's Game Nite was so much fun! About 25 parish members joined the party on Friday night. A few rounds of Bingo starting the evening off—along with pizza provided by Evan! Then the group broke out into multiple game tables. The whole crowd seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves!

A big Thank You to the Game Hosts:

• Diane Clark
• Liz Houston (who reported there were 3 Yahtzees at her table!)
• Evan Robertson
• Molly Beier

Multiple attendees said they would love to do this again, so we'll definitely schedule another one in the Fall!

April 17–19: Come Join the Men of St. Michael's in West Virginia!

For the third time, the Men of St. Michael’s will be heading out for a weekend in West Virginia. Things to do include hiking and walking (plenty of good trails and roads), chatting it up around the fire ring, wandering aimlessly in the woods, fishing in the river, eating good food, drinking a favorite beverage, and so on.

The location is Mark and Caroline Haynes’ large wooded and partially mountainous property near Hanging Rock, WV. They have a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath cabin/house + a guest cabin + a large sleeping loft. In addition, there are plenty of great places to camp both near and far from the cabin for those who want to bring a tent. Come for the whole weekend or any part thereof. Since it’s only 2 hours away, some folks have even just come up for the day on Saturday. Please let Mark Haynes know if you plan on attending. More details will be forthcoming. 

St. Michael’s Book Group

Coming Up This Sunday, April 5

Easter Day

6:30 AM  Sunrise Eucharist
Interim Rector, The Rev. Mark Furlow presiding.
A simple Easter liturgy at Sunrise in the Memorial Garden (or in the church if it rains).
 

9:30 AM  Holy Eucharist
Interim Rector, The Rev. Mark Furlow presiding.
A fulsome celebration of Easter Day with plenty of joyful music. Overflow seating will be available in the Parish Hall. There is no Children’s Worship on Easter morning. 

A livestream of Sunday’s worship will be available on the Virtual Worship page of our website, directly on our YouTube channel. The Collect of the Day and the scripture readings for this Sunday can be found on The Lectionary Page.

10:45 AM  Easter Egg Hunt and Coffee Hour
All are welcome to food, coffee, and fellowship. Please bring your own basket or bag for egg collection (rain or shine). We will gather in the hallway by the church office door immediately following the 9:30 AM service. 

Contact Us

Newsletter Submissions: communications@stmichaelsarlington.org (due by Tuesday at 5 PM)

Parish Administrator Katrina Moore’s Virtual Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday 9:30 AM–3:30 PM; 703-241-2474

The Rev. Mark Furlow observes the Sabbath on Mondays and is generally available Tuesday through Friday mornings for office hours and appointments.

For urgent Pastoral needs, call or text: 703-239-3787