The festival of Easter is represented by a surprising array of symbols. Where did they all come from, and what do they mean?

First, the name Easter seems to come from a Northern European goddess of Springtime and fertility variously called Eastre, Eostre, or Ostara; her companion animal was the hare, which seems to be the source for our Easter bunny. Scholars also say that the name Easter refers to the East and the rising sun, tied symbolically to Christs rising from the dead. Ancient Northern European pagan religions relied on astronomical observations to guide them through the year. The Spring, or Vernal, Equinox, when the length of the day becomes the same as the length of the night, was celebrated as the end of winter and the coming of new life, essentially the resurrection of the Earth from the cold death of winter. Saint Patrick was instrumental in redirecting that pagan celebration to rejoicing in Christs resurrection from the tomb. Easter is still observed in connection with solar observations; decreed by the Council of Nicea in 325 CE to always fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox.

The festival of Easter is also referred to as the Paschal feast, from the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning Passover. As we know, Christ was crucified in Jerusalem when he went there to celebrate the Passover as an observant Jew. The Paschal lamb was the lamb traditionally sacrificed by the head of the Jewish family for the Passover Seder meal. Christ is seen as the sacrificial lamb through his death on the cross, and his resurrection is seen as the fulfillment of Gods Passover covenant with His people. Thus Easter is when our Paschal candle is dedicated.

Easter bunnies and Easter candy were evidently brought to America by German immigrant families. The old folk custom was for children to make empty nests in a corner of their house or yard or just put out empty shoes or hats, and the Springtime goddess Ostara and her hare would fill them with sweets and eggs.* Eggs are a very obvious symbol of fertility, and it is believed that they were colored to scare Satan away from the new life inside them. Eggs also appeared on Easter to celebrate their return after being forbidden during Lent.

The Easter lilys white color symbolizes Christs purity, and some say its trumpet shape represents the angel Gabriels horn. The bulbs of lilies and other spring flowers also represent resurrection as the new growth springs from the old dry-looking bulb. Jane King

*A personal footnote: my parents families were primarily German immigrants, and I grew up putting my shoes by my bed the night before Easter, and finding eggs and candy in them on Easter morning; they never mentioned Ostara, though.

KATRINA HELP WANTED

Greetings All: Lutheran Disaster Relief is sending out an urgent request for volunteers to do clean-up work in the areas affected by Katrina. After the initial surge of response they are settling into the long term reality that recovery will be a matter of years. In response, I am organizing a Mission Trip for Hurricane Relief to the New Orleans area made up of members of the churches in my region: Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire.

The tentative details are as follows:
Date: Sunday, April 23  Tuesday, May 2nd
Cost: $400-500 per person
Age: 16 or older
Transportation: Driving rental vans (Driving straight through or perhaps overnighting at a church in Pa.) Lodging: Staying in the Lutheran Disaster Relief's Tent City: Cots, portable toilets and showers. Meals provided by LDR (included in estimated above cost)
Work: Dependent on General Skill level of group.
Un-skilled: tree clearing, muck work
Skilled: Construction, Sheet Rock, etc.

There will also be an opportunity for individuals and congregations to donate towards the trip as well. PDF registration forms and a flier are available by request for copying and distribution in your congregation.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim Roser
NESynod Ministry Specialist.

THE HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH MEMORIAL & TRUST FUND

Established by congregational vote in January 1989, what we have come to call The Memorial and Trust Fund was actually established to be The Holy Cross Lutheran Church Trust Fund consisting of a Perpetual Fund in which the principal would be retained and only the income used, and a Memorial Fund from which both principal and interest would be used.

In practice, there has been only the Memorial Fund portion into which flows memorial gifts, directed use gifts, and undesignated gifts. Both principal and interest are used from the individual accounts within this fund. Through the years this portion of the established trust fund has fulfilled its stated mission to enhance the work of the church by establishing new ministries and stewardship opportunities additional to and apart from the general operation of the congregation.

Recently, the Trust Fund Committee, established as custodian of the trust fund, has been investigating the possibility of activating the Perpetual Fund portion of the trust fund. Also called an endowment fund, this fund would receive any gifts so designated. It would replace no other form of giving, but offer an additional manner of gifting. It is assumed this fund would grow with time, as the principal would be unused. Usually the congregation would draft a mission statement setting forth in advance the intended uses of income from this fund.

Having an endowment fund such as this in place would facilitate the receiving of gifts by informing donors in advance of the manner in which the gift would be held and its income used. Additionally, a mechanism would be in place for the proper reception of a large bequest.

To provide our congregation with a fuller understanding of this kind of fund and the giving associated with it, the Trust Fund Committee has invited Rev. Daniel Carlson, ELCA Regional Gift Planner, to speak to the congregation on April 30th. Rev. Carlson has been a pastor in the New England Synod for 40 years, having served four congregations and most recently being engaged in this present work since 1999. In this role, he presents a seminar entitled How Do You Want To Be Remembered, which encourages people of faith to consider charitable giving in their estate plans. Besides presenting seminars, hes available to individuals who wish to consider options for and benefits of both present and deferred charitable giving. Rev. Carlson will address both the concept of an endowment fund and the option of including charitable giving in estate planning when he speaks to our congregation.

NOTES FROM THE COUNCIL

New Keys: Many of you know by now that the locks on the doors to the Church have been re-keyed. This decision was made by the Church Council in the interests of safety and security. Life in todays world is not as simple and safe as we would like it. We have to recognize our responsibility to protect people and property, even if it means causing a little inconvenience. This action was strongly recommended by the NE Synod Congregational Support Minister, whom we have consulted about such matters.

Staff, members of Council, committee chairs, and people with responsibilities that require access to the church have been issued new keys. (All old keys may be discarded.) Provisions have been made for key-sharing for those activities that have rotating duties, such as Altar Guild. A key may be signed out and returned for special events when someone who has a key will not be present. Our goal is to always have an accurate list of who has a key at any given time. People with keys are asked not to loan them to unauthorized individuals. Common sense should dictate who is authorized. An example is a committee chair loaning the key to another committee member, who will be chairing a meeting in the absence of the chair.

This new system may require a little more planning by everyone. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Getting in the habit of thinking ahead for more that a few days at a time might do us all some good. The Council will be evaluating the process in three months. Please feel free to talk to any of us and let us know how it is working.

Calendar: Beverly, our office secretary, maintains the Church calendar. She posts the most current calendars on the bulletin board in Luther Hall before she leaves each Friday. Please check the calendar, and then either call or email her before scheduling an event. This will avoid conflicts and disappointment. Thanks!

SERVICE BANK

Did you know that Holy Cross has a list of members who have volunteered to help out in time of need. Activities such as providing a ride to the doctor, bringing a meal, walking a dog, running errands, child care, helping with yard work, respite, reading, snow shoveling, financial or tax assistance for the elderly, hair care, and other helpful tasks all have volunteers ready and willing to provide assistance. Sometimes it is difficult to ask for help, but in so doing, you not only receive a valuable service but you also give someone else the chance to give a gift of their time and talent. If you are in need of assistance, please call Karen or the church office and you will be linked with the appropriate resource.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

We are updating the church directory and plan to add the email addresses of those who wish to have them included in their listing (these will only be shared with members of Holy Cross). Please contact Beverly, our church secretary, with any changes in name/address/phone number and your email address if you want to have it included.

A BUNCH OF GUYS

A Bunch of Guys will release a new CD entitled "Dig It" to help Calumet Lutheran Camp and Conference Center raise funds for their new septic system. CD Release Shows will be at Emanuel, Hartford, Conn., Friday, May 5 and at Holy Trinity, Newington, N.H., Saturday, May 6. Two previous CDs (Take a Breath and Enough) have raise more than $150,000 to benefit the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. A Bunch of Guys includes the New England Synod's very own David Piper, John Christianson, Gary Anderson and Knute Ogren. "Dig It" includes guest appearances by Kat and Perry Dickau, as well as D.Guy Johnson, who shares the legendary story of The Monster of Lake Ossipee. To learn more or to find out how to order Dig It, go to www.calumet.org.

HOLY COMMUNION

A group of seven young people are completing a class in which they have been learning about Holy Communion. On Sunday, April 9th, we will be welcoming the following children to the Lords table to participate in Holy Communion: Sean Black, Mariah Creelman, Kayla Creelman, Jedd Dill, Anders Jepson, Callum Maloy, Maggie Maloy, and Zach Peters. A reception will be held after the second service.

YOUTH SUNDAY

On May 7th, the youth of Holy Cross, from preschool to high school, will be leading our worship services. There will be a rehearsal for older children on Saturday, May 6th from 10-11:30. You will be notified if your child needs to attend the rehearsal.

GROWING THROUGH DIVORCE

A six week class for those who are navigating the waters of divorce will be held in Luther Hall on Thursday evenings beginning April 27th. We will begin with a simple meal at 5:30 and conclude by 7:30. Children will be welcome for the meal. They will then have a separate time while the adults meet in their group. Community members will also be invited. Please contact the church office or Karen if you wish to register.

If you are willing to assist with one of the meals, either by providing food or helping to set up, serve or clean up, please sign up on the board in the Narthex. We also need people who are willing to provide childcare/activities in the Sunday School area from 6-7:30. Depending on the ages, we will have videos, stories, crafts, and homework time for the kids

SHARING THE JOY

Due to the Easter falling on the third Sunday in April, we have moved the date for our monthly sing-a-long to the fourth Sunday, April 23rd. Please join us at 2:00 at the Wardwell Home in Saco. You dont need musical talent, just a desire to share joy with the residents of this assisted living facility. And if you dont want to sing, come and help to turn pages or to visit with our friends. We will car-pool from the church at 1:30. One of the songs we will be singing is HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Dorothy Klinefelter, a resident of Wardwell who will be turning 95 on April 29th

Sunday School News:

There will be NO Sunday School classes on Easter Sunday.

Adult Forum:

April 2nd & 9th - "The Passion of the Christ" will be shown from 9:30 - 10:30am in Luther Hall.
April 16th - Easter Sunday - No class.
April 23rd - TBA
April 31st - Pastor Dan Carlson will be visiting to discuss stewardship. Watch the bulletin for more information as the date gets closer.

EASTER SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday, April 9th
8:00 am Modern Lutheran Liturgy
10:45 am Traditional Lutheran Liturgy

Maundy Thursday, April 13th
7:30 pm Service of Holy Communion

Good Friday
12:00 pm Passion of the Christ  shown in Sunday School Area
7:30 pm Tenebrae Service

Easter Sunday
8:30 am Blended Modern & Traditional Lutheran Liturgy
9:45 am Easter Breakfast
10:45 am Traditional Lutheran Liturgy

On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer. ~Douglas Horton