Compiled by The Bedford Citizen
Once more, Bedford gathered on the bank of Fawn Lake to celebrate Easter with a traditional, interfaith Dawn Service.
Members of several Bedford congregations took part: John Bridgeman’s Ecumenical Brass Ensemble and Bob McClatchey’s vintage accordion provided the musical accompaniment. The 2018 service coordinator Marion Bryan of Bedford’s First Baptist Church welcomed the worshipers. Matthew Garrity of St. Michael Parish offered the Call to Worship. Eliza Menninger of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church delivered the Easter Reading. Dianne Bridgeman of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC read John 20:1-18 and Kevin Mickel of First Baptist Church delivered an Easter message before Lee Vorderer of First Parish, Unitarian Universalist offered a final Benediction.
The Easter Dawn Ecumenical Service was begun in 1951 by Doris and Reed Webber of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC. For most of its 67 years, the service has relied on lay leadership from participating Bedford congregations.
2018 Sunrise Service Committee was chaired by Marion Bryan, First Baptist Church with help from Emily Mitchell of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church; Jeannette Pothier, The Parish of Saint Michael; Dianne Bridgeman, First Church of Christ, UCC; and Lee Vorderer of First Parish UUA.
Leadership of the annual service moves from congregation to congregation each year. Future Coordinators: are 2019—St.Paul’s Episcopal Church; 2020—First Church of Christ, UCC; 2021—The Parish of Saint Michael; 2022—First Parish in Bedford, UUA; and 2023—First Baptist Church.
If you would like to participate in planning or presenting future services, please tell your parish minister or priest that you want to join the Easter Dawn Service planning committee.
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