A Message from our Executive Director // April 2019

In the summer of 2016, I was invited to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with School of Faith.  olive tree in the Holy LandJust this week, in preparation for Holy Week, I was looking through my pictures and was reminded of the blessings that trip afforded me.  I had the privilege of walking where Jesus walked and praying where He prayed.  I have looked at the pictures many times and have been drawn to the sites and experiences of those sacred places time and again.  It seems I am drawn to a particular picture each time I scroll through them.  This time, I stopped on a large olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The Garden was a beloved spot for Jesus and His apostles; scripture tells us they gathered there to talk, pray, and to look at the stars.  I can imagine how beautiful and peaceful it normally was for them and how the memories created there were treasured.  But, the Garden also was the place where Judas, His friend, betrayed Jesus and where His friends could not stay awake in His time of need.  As I journey through this Holy Week, I will reflect on my relationship with Jesus—how can I stay spiritually “awake” and grow even closer to Him this week.  I am grateful that I will have the opportunity to take part in the Easter Triduum, the summit of the liturgical year and hope you and your families can find time to attend these services as well.  On behalf of our Consortium team, I wish each one of you a very sacred and special Holy Week and a blessed Easter.

– Chris Nelson