On Easter morning, we will be sponsoring a six-mile run and three mile walk that is open to the public. The event will take place on the Salmon Creek trail in Vancouver. At 6 am, participants will begin in the darkness wearing headlamps or using flashlights. They will finish after running toward the rising sun. Upon completion, there will be a potluck of orange juice, hot cross buns, cinnamon rolls, jelly beans, etc. The event arises out of a desire to re-enact part of the Easter morning portrayed in the Bible.
Holy Week is often a time when churches re-enact key parts of the Christian story. Like many churches, our church reenacts Palm Sunday with children processing into the sanctuary as they wave palm branches. We also reenact Jesus’ final meal with a Maundy Thursday dinner and worship service. On Good Friday, we intentionally turn their attention to the violence and suffering of the present world as we mediate upon the crucifixion. With all of this activity leading up to Easter, it is only fitting that we do something on Easter morning itself! Just as the original followers of Jesus literally did a lot of running Easter morning in going back and forth to the tomb, we will be running (and walking) Easter morning as well.
The potential power of the event goes beyond the experience of reenactment. After the bleakness of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, it will be fitting to literally run from the darkness of night to the brightness of a new and glorious day.
The event will begin at the Salmon Creek Trail parking lot that is accessible from NE 117th Street and that is adjacent to Klineline Pond and the softball fields. There is no fee for participation.
First Congregational United Church of Christ has a history of literally putting their faith into action. In February of last year, they led a 116-mile march for marriage equality that started in Vancouver and went all the way to the steps of the state capitol in Olympia.