Easter, 2019

Baptism for a 1 y.o.

The Easter Vigil begins the night before, at sunset. Churchgoers held candles lit by the Paschal Candle, but old eyes still had trouble making out the words in the hymnals and programs. After the baptism the minister proclaimed "Happy Easter!", the lights came on, and the ceremony concluded without mishap.

Ducks and other waterfowl have free rein over Foster City neighborhoods. On Easter morning this pair caused a delay in parishioners' arrival times. Our car inched forward until we were almost on top of them. They moved aside, quacking furiously.

The liturgical color of Easter is white. White is also the color used to represent death in Japanese culture. The rector, a San Francisco-born Japanese-American, must experience a little dissonance but never shows it."Alleluia, the Lord is risen." The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

After the adults and older youth spent hours hiding the Easter eggs--some with special prizes--the children line up for the hunt. The gate's been locked, and the grownups will try to see that the littlest kids get their share.

Regardless, it was all over in a few minutes.