Winthrop Congregational Church, UCC
No matter who you are. No matter where you are on life's journey. You are welcome here!
Written just before Palm Sunday 2022
Beloveds in Christ,
I’m pretty sure that Marie Hatfield is the one who told me about how, in some cultures, Christians use pussy willow branches instead of palms on Palm Sunday.
I remember her coming into church, clipped branches in hand, excited that they had opened in time for us to use in our worship service. I had never heard of this practice. Marie learned it from Finnish relatives.
I’ve since learned that this is common practice for many Northern and Eastern European Christians. They lived in places where it would have been difficult to procure palms in the early spring. Also, apparently, some of these cultures may have already had traditions that recognized the willow to be holy and offer healing. So, they did what Christians have done throughout time: made their faith their own. If you can’t welcome Jesus in with palms, you can shout Hosanna and wave pussy willows branches.
I was talking with some friends this week about buying flowers for our Easter worship service. One suggested that I just go cut flowers from people’s yards. I reminded her that there aren’t many things blooming in this part of Maine in early April. At our place, we only have a few crocuses that have opened their purple and yellow flowers. The scilla have little purple buds. They just might be ready in time for Easter, though their tiny blooms would be difficult to see in the expanse of the sanctuary. That being said, most branches are still bare and most flowers are still waiting to bloom.
Late March and Early April in Maine feels to me like an in-between time. The snow is gone but everything is muddy. The stark maple branches are just beginning to bud. The daffodils and hyacinths are unfurling from the earth with short green stubs poking through the earth. The promise of New and Renewed Life is making itself known, but every mucky step through the field when we’re walking the dogs makes it clear that we aren’t quite there yet.
As we shift from Lent into Holy Week, I encourage you to attend to how this week can be its own in-between time. There will be joy and hope for salvation on Palm Sunday. There will be communion and connection on Maundy Thursday. With Good Friday and Holy Saturday comes the desolation of the cross and the tomb. Then, with Easter, an empty tomb will point us towards a hopeful future that we haven’t fully experienced, not yet. Resurrection will bloom around us and within us, and inspire us to keep growing and tending with God. But, we’re still in the in-between time... the not-quite-yet.
In Poland, on Palm Sunday, someone might playfully tap you with a willow branch, and offer up this blessing, “I don't strike you, the Willow strikes you. Be healthy all year and beyond the year.” I hope you will have health in this year and beyond. And, I hope that whatever signs of new life you are seeing... the fuzzy catkins of the pussy willow... the promising buds of the scilla... will bring you strength.
Pastor Chrissy
Resources:
Some Polish Practices: https://www.sophieknab.com/blog/pussy-willows-for-palm-sunday
Practices in Finland: https://www.columbian.com/news/2016/mar/26/palm-sunday-traditions-blend-in-finland/
Practices in Ukraine: https://www.pysanky.info/Ukrainian_Easter/Traditions.html
Beloveds in Christ,
I’m pretty sure that Marie Hatfield is the one who told me about how, in some cultures, Christians use pussy willow branches instead of palms on Palm Sunday.
I remember her coming into church, clipped branches in hand, excited that they had opened in time for us to use in our worship service. I had never heard of this practice. Marie learned it from Finnish relatives.
I’ve since learned that this is common practice for many Northern and Eastern European Christians. They lived in places where it would have been difficult to procure palms in the early spring. Also, apparently, some of these cultures may have already had traditions that recognized the willow to be holy and offer healing. So, they did what Christians have done throughout time: made their faith their own. If you can’t welcome Jesus in with palms, you can shout Hosanna and wave pussy willows branches.
I was talking with some friends this week about buying flowers for our Easter worship service. One suggested that I just go cut flowers from people’s yards. I reminded her that there aren’t many things blooming in this part of Maine in early April. At our place, we only have a few crocuses that have opened their purple and yellow flowers. The scilla have little purple buds. They just might be ready in time for Easter, though their tiny blooms would be difficult to see in the expanse of the sanctuary. That being said, most branches are still bare and most flowers are still waiting to bloom.
Late March and Early April in Maine feels to me like an in-between time. The snow is gone but everything is muddy. The stark maple branches are just beginning to bud. The daffodils and hyacinths are unfurling from the earth with short green stubs poking through the earth. The promise of New and Renewed Life is making itself known, but every mucky step through the field when we’re walking the dogs makes it clear that we aren’t quite there yet.
As we shift from Lent into Holy Week, I encourage you to attend to how this week can be its own in-between time. There will be joy and hope for salvation on Palm Sunday. There will be communion and connection on Maundy Thursday. With Good Friday and Holy Saturday comes the desolation of the cross and the tomb. Then, with Easter, an empty tomb will point us towards a hopeful future that we haven’t fully experienced, not yet. Resurrection will bloom around us and within us, and inspire us to keep growing and tending with God. But, we’re still in the in-between time... the not-quite-yet.
In Poland, on Palm Sunday, someone might playfully tap you with a willow branch, and offer up this blessing, “I don't strike you, the Willow strikes you. Be healthy all year and beyond the year.” I hope you will have health in this year and beyond. And, I hope that whatever signs of new life you are seeing... the fuzzy catkins of the pussy willow... the promising buds of the scilla... will bring you strength.
Pastor Chrissy
Resources:
Some Polish Practices: https://www.sophieknab.com/blog/pussy-willows-for-palm-sunday
Practices in Finland: https://www.columbian.com/news/2016/mar/26/palm-sunday-traditions-blend-in-finland/
Practices in Ukraine: https://www.pysanky.info/Ukrainian_Easter/Traditions.html
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If you value having us as a faith community and faith partner in our town, please donate today.
