Seder gathering at Stanley

On Thursday, March 20, the Christian Education Department sponsored a Passover Seder to precede our Maundy Thursday service. Children, parents, and adult volunteers from Christian Education prepared the traditional Seder Plate elements, Haroset (chopped apples and walnuts), Maror (bitter herbs), Karpas (greens) and salt water, Matzoh (unleavened bread) etc., for use in the service. During our prep time, we snacked on gefilte fish, matzoh ball soup, macaroons and chocolate covered matzoh. Sometimes it pays to volunteer! Reverend Shawn prepared a brief and meaningful Seder service that connected this traditional Exodus story to our Lenten journey. The children took turns reading aloud and explaining the elements of the Seder plate. The Junior High youth had studied Passover and made a Seder Plate with Barb Hauck-Mah, their church school teacher, so they already had a pretty good working knowledge to share with the adults. The service also included singing the African-American spiritual “Go Down, Moses,” which Reverend Shawn played on guitar. (written by LM)