Happy Easter

By Julie McCay Turner

Bedford’s 63^rd annual interfaith Easter Sunrise Service took place today on a sunny but chilly morning. Musicians, dozens of participants, and several very well-behaved dogs arrived at the end of Sweetwater Avenue, on the bank of Fawn Lake, for the 6:30 am service.

Walking along Sweetwater Avenue to the service, participants heard the Ecumenical Brass Ensemble, John Bridgeman, Director, and accordionist Bob McClatchey. Emily Mitchell of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church welcomed the interfaith congregation before Marion Bryan and Scott Arnold of First Baptist Church offered their antiphonal call to worship.

The Easter Gospel, John 20:1-18, was delivered by Joe Gallagher of the Parish of St. Michael. Roberta Valday, representing St. Paul’s, offered an Easter message of rebirth, and in this month that reminds us of the importance of organ donation, the miracle of life that can result from a tragic death. Janet Breslau of First Parish on the Common, UUA, gave the benediction.

The Easter Dawn Ecumenical Service was begun in 1951 by Doris and Reed Webber of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC. For most of its 60+ years, the service has relied on lay leadership from participating Bedford congregations.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church coordinated this year’s service; the committee included Marion Bryan, First Baptist Church; Emily Mitchell, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Jeannette Pothier, The Parish of Saint Michael; Cheryl Pespisa, First Church of Christ, UCC; Janet Breslau, First Parish on the Common, UUA.  Leadership for the service rotates among five congregations. The 2015 service will be coordinated by First Church of Christ, UCC, with the Parish of Saint Michael taking the helm in 2016, First Parish on the Common, UUA, in 2017, First Baptist Church in 2018, and St Paul’s Episcopal Church coming around again in 2019.

Residents interested in helping to plan or present future services, are invited to contact their church or email [email protected].