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A UMNS Report by Barbara Dunlap-Berg*

2:00 P.M. EST April 19, 2011

Do you have a favorite Easter memory or tradition?

When that question was posed on Facebook, it evoked more than 200 nostalgic, mostly-happy memories.

Not surprisingly, sunrise services, special music and shiny new clothes topped many lists.

Naomi Craighead-Dekker remembered the potluck breakfast that followed the sunrise service in Bergen Park, Colo. “Each family would bring out the camping gear and make breakfast, usually cooked over an open fire. My dad had a waffle iron that could be used on a woodstove or over a campfire. … We still have that waffle iron, and every time we use it, we tell the kids and grandkids the story.”

Tom Lutz, now of Newberg, Ore., remembered a “shocking awakening” on Easter 1951 when he was 10. “My semi-invalid grandmother lived with us. … At 6 a.m., a small brass ensemble showed up in our driveway and played several traditional Easter hymns.”

Rick McGehee, a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Dallas, looked back two decades to his first sunrise service.

“Our congregation had outgrown (its) little building and had broken ground for where the new building now stands. That Easter morning we had a sunrise service, just standing out there in … a field, just praying, singing, praising and thanking God. I don't think I’ll ever forget it!”

In Pandacan, Manila, in the Philippines, church families in Sergei Collera’s neighborhood “always go treasure hunting, and the eggs are the treasure. After that, we will have a service,” he explained.

Redlands United Methodist Church, Grand Junction, Colo., has a “breathtaking” Easter sunrise service on a Colorado National Monument overlook, said Kristy Russell Armour. Chicken wire covers a large wooden cross. “During the service, we go up to the altar and put fresh flowers into the chicken wire. It becomes a living cross, and it is beautiful.”

Jamie Lemke Barrand and her twin sister Jodi show off the Easter dresses their mom sewed in 1974. A web-only photo courtesy of Jamie Lemke Barrand.

Bonnets and baptisms

As worshippers gather in church buildings later on Easter morning, many will find lilies adorning the sanctuary and many people wearing their “Sunday best.”

“I like seeing all the Easter bonnets on the little girls, even some adults,” wrote Angie Walts Groth, Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, St. Louis. “In my area of the country, no one wears hats to church anymore. Except at Easter!”

Jamie Lemke Barrand, Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, Greencastle, Ind., remembers the dresses her mom sewed in 1974.

“My mom made us — my twin sister Jodi and me — beautiful dresses one year. They were down to our ankles and had blue velvet sashes. We always got new dresses for Easter, but that one my mom made was always my favorite.”

Kevin E. Beard, East Lansing, Mich., told of “standing in front of the big blue spruce with my sisters for the obligatory Easter photo.”

As a 10-year-old, Twila Burchette, now of Pelzer, S.C., chose Easter Sunday for her baptism at Marshville (N.C.) United Methodist Church, “because this is the day God gave each of us a new beginning.”

Easter births, marriages and deaths were also mentioned.

In 2007, Patricia Hooton stole the show at the Vanceboro (N.C.) United Methodist Church’s Easter egg hunt. She went into labor with her third child — son David — now 4.

“My dad, now deceased, was … born on Easter Sunday in 1936,” said Amy Smith Costin, Kenansville, N.C. “So, Easter has always been my favorite holiday.”

The Rev. Helen K. Dukes, retired from the West Ohio Annual (regional) Conference, was married on Easter Sunday. “We were starting a new life and wanted it grounded in Christ,” she said.

Easter 2005 was bittersweet for Tinotenda Yvonne Chibudu, whose mother died that year on Good Friday.

The Hooton family of Vanceboro (N.C.) United Methodist Church poses for an Easter picture. A web-only courtesy of Carl J. Hooton Jr.

From ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ to Handel’s ‘Messiah’

A fond memory for Ann Rosson Niver was singing in the children’s choir at Ardmore (Tenn.) United Methodist Church.

“I remember getting up early for Easter sunrise service and donning our freshly starched and ironed white choir robes,” she said. “We would march into the sanctuary in front of the adult choir members. We felt so grown up and so special standing in front of the congregation singing the traditional Easter hymns as only children can sing them.”

“It is not Easter unless ‘Because He Lives’ is sung,” declared Gene E. LeGrand, Sevierville, Tenn.

Among other favorites are “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” and “Up from the Grave He Arose.”

Remembering her 1970s youth in Norman, Okla., Ashley Broce Hanna wrote about “shaking in our pinchy new shoes as St. Stephen’s (United Methodist Church) blasted ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar’s’ Crucifixion section.”

At Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Carrollton, Texas, anyone who wishes to do so sings the “Hallelujah Chorus” with the choir. “Extra sheet music is at the ready,” Amy Forbus said. “It’s a wonderful experience.”

“Our choir always ends the service with Handel's ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’” said Sandra McPherson, Gilbert, Ariz. “It gives me goose bumps every time. I love it.”

Times to remember, give thanks

Godfrey Kudzai Marange, now of Harare, Zimbabwe, loved Easter dramas at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Mutare. “The plays were masterpieces,” he said.

Making Resurrection cookies is a treat for the Fromke children of First United Methodist Church, Watertown, S.D. Stirring the batter is Annamarie Fromke, age 5. Photo courtesy of Shannon Sattler Fromke. View in Photo Gallery

Making Resurrection cookies with her children is a treat for Shannon Sattler Fromke of First United Methodist Church, Watertown, S.D.

Others mentioned Easter egg bread and lamb cake.

While big family gatherings follow worship for many, others create different traditions.

After her divorce, Rae Williams, Clearwater, Fla., made Easter baskets for her also-single friends. “On Easter, my daughter and I would go around and distribute them. I absolutely loved doing this, and it taught my daughter the value of giving.”

And for many, Easter is a time for prayer.

In Ankeny, Iowa, First United Methodist Church has a prayer vigil from Good Friday through Easter morning. “To know there is someone praying in the chapel that entire time (is) an awesome experience,” Dawn Green said.

Pilot Mutsamwira of Nyanga, Zimbabwe, wrote his prayer: “Oh, Lord, if you can help me this Easter to remember the less fortunate and pray and pray.”

“The Methodist Church of Côte d’Ivoire needs your prayer for the country,” said Eloi Frejus.

Ceil McClellan, who attends Asbury United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, creates memories for her granddaughter Maddi. Every Easter they go to the church’s prayer garden to release balloons with a card from Maddi to her dad who died when she was 9. “She watches until they are out of sight,” McClellan said.

For many who responded, proclaiming, “Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed!” is the most joyful Easter memory.

“That always catches my heart,” said William Listwan of Drew United Methodist Church, Carmel, N.Y.

*Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications.

News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5489 or newsdesk@umcom.org.