| PHOTO
GALLERIES
Please click on a link below to view
some of Anamchara's photos.
Commissioning
Photos
Easter
Vigil 2008
Documentary
Showing of The Man You Had In Mind
First Anniversary Celebration
TESTIMONIALS
"Our
Easter Vigil celebration was memorable. I could feel the presence
of the Lord there among our community. It was solemn yet personal.
I have attended many Easter celebrations over the years from
days when I sang in the Archbishop's choir in grade school
chanting from the Liber Usualis to recent interdenominational
sunrise services at Springrove Cemetery in Cincinnati. Our
Vigil service this year is my favorite."
"I'm
no stranger to fire-lighting. About 15-20 times a day, I set
fire to the end of a cigar or a bowl of pipe tobacco. I've
lit other kinds of ritual fires, as well. Men's group ritual
fires, giant fires to heat the "brother" stones
for sweat lodges, small fires indoors around which to kindle
or heal a friendship. Somehow, taking on the responsibility
for building and maintaining the first Anamchara Easter Vigil
fire affected me more than any of the others. When I first
opened the doors of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church to the
Anamchara community, I did so more as an act of hospitality
on behalf of the Presbyterian congregation. When I built and
lit the Easter fire, I did so as a full-fledged Anamchara
member. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all keepers
of that flame of the Holy Spirit, ecumenicist, and full communion
with one another."
What
a splendid time we had!
What topped the good time was our experience with the Anamchara
community. We were unprepared for the openheartedness, welcoming,
and just sheer human goodness we shared in. And we were thrilled
by the spiritual power incarnated in the alliance of gay and
straight people. The mutual benefits in this caring were visible,
unmistakable and unforgettable.
Your community is fortunate to have such a potent and expressive
Eucharistic liturgy. The gathering together around the piano
to sing at the beginning has a distinctly sacramental character;
and so does the welcoming chatting earlier as people arrive.
It made me think of the psalmist’s words about “going
up to the house of the Lord.” Surely there was good
conversation on the road during the trip and as they arrived.
Interesting to think back on all the time one arrived at church
and seemed to set aside one’s daily humanity.
Eugene and I were moved and felt come-home as we stood with
the others, arms outstretched at the consecration of the eucharistic
elements – the priesthood of the people made real.
I’m enjoying sharing exactly these things with my friends
here at home in Portland.
Thanks to all of your helping community; thanks for the warmth;
and the cake.
Love,
Eric and Eugene
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