BRO Submission By Reverend Drew Ludwig:
You’ve got your butter lamb, and your red shirt for Dyngus Day, but there’s one more thing that you once did around Easter–right? What was that?
Right. Church. But you stopped going because you didn’t like the politics. Or because the people were rude. Or maybe it just didn’t make sense.
I’m writing today to invite you back. Buffalo is filled with a whole lot of welcoming spiritual communities, and I would be happy to help you find one that suits you. If it happens to be Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church, the one I serve, great–but we know that no congregation is for everybody, and we are happy to help you find the one that fits you.
At Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church, we talk a lot about Jesus, and where he might be seen in our neighborhood (as you might guess from our website, elmwoodjesus.org). We’ve come to embrace the diversity of the Elmwood Village, and work hard to welcome all the people we believe Jesus would. On Easter Sunday, there will be a “special declaration of amnesty,” in which those who have gone away from the church will not be given guilt trips for doing so (and hopefully, in turn, ‘returners’ will forgive those of us who chased them away.) You are also welcome to check out our Holy Thursday service (7pm) or the community Good Friday Observation, at St. John’s-Grace, with seven different West Side congregations participating (noon-3pm).
We’ve also come to realize that the Sunday morning experience isn’t for everybody, so we’ve created some other opportunities to grow through study, service, and/or prayer. You are invited to consider these opportunities:
On TUESDAY EVENINGS we’ll watch and discuss the PBS documentary “From Jesus to Christ.” (7-8:30pm)
On THURSDAY EVENINGS we will see Jesus as we serve others, rehabbing houses with West Side Ministries. (5-9pm, but late arrivals/early exits are ok.) It’s best to RSVP to this one–we only have room for a few people to serve each week.
On FRIDAY, APRIL 17 we will host a free screening of “Lord, Save Us from your Followers,” a humorous documentary that looks at how Jesus is and is not revealed by the church.
On SUNDAY EVENINGS a new and different kind of church will be meeting in Lafayette’s building. This gathering is a little bit quieter, a little bit darker, and with a more contemplative feel. Inclusive, attentive, and active, this new church leaves behind a lot of the other stuff that comes with traditional churches.
Every event is open and accessible for people of any or no faith. There will always be snacks, there will always be an optional time of discussion, and you will be treated with respect.
If now is the right time for you to explore spiritually, we’d love to help you search. Stop by, call, or email–and have a great Easter.