Early morning crowd at the Easter Sunrise Service on the lawn of the Mount Vernon Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
For over fifty years Ventures in Community (VIC) has been organizing a Sunrise Service on Easter Morning. This year a beautiful service of word and music to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ was held overlooking the Potomac River on the lawn of the Mount Vernon Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Speakers represented five houses of faith including Rising Hope Mission Church, Washington Farm United Methodist Church, Heritage Presbyterian, Woodlawn Faith United Methodist Church, and the Fort Belvoir and Mount Vernon Wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those gathered represented parishioners and attendees from those and other congregations.
Dr. Keary Kincannon, Pastor Emeritus of Rising Hope Mission Church
This year’s Sunrise Service had special music presented by the Trebles, an all-female acapella group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; the Woodlawn Faith UMC Gospel Choir, directed by Greg Wright; and the Washington Farm UMC Brass and Wind Ensemble directed by Eileen Fraedrich.
Rev. Claire Miller, pastor at Washington Farm UMC, gave the main message of hope titled “The Resurrection and the Duck-billed Platypus.” No matter how tragic or dark life might be now, don’t give up hope for life, health and wholeness. In the 18th century, many Europeans would not believe that God would create a furry, web-footed, duck-billed mammal that laid eggs, known as a duck-billed platypus. They were proved wrong.
Many, down through the ages, have not believed it possible that Jesus was resurrected to life. But many who have encountered their own resurrection from tragedies, trauma or addictions, have all the proof they need to believe in the power of resurrection.
The Rev. Dr. Rob Erickson, pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church, also spoke. It was recognized that Dr. Erickson is retiring this July, he was acknowledged for his years of service to the community and VIC.
Other Speakers included, Bishop Derrick Anderson, Mount Vernon Ward of the LDS Church; Cathy Hosek, Co-Chair of VIC; Rev. Dr. Keary Kincannon, Pastor Emeritus of Rising Hope Mission Church; Keith Davey, LDS Church; and Kendra Mattox, LDS Church.
VIC is a coalition of faith communities and nonprofit organizations in the Mount Vernon and Lee Districts that advocates for and serves those in need. Members meet monthly to coordinate efforts to help local underserved people. Members are advocates for the new location of an improved Kennedy Shelter, provide for the volunteers for the hypothermia shelter at Rising Hope, and testify before the Board of Supervisors when necessary to ensure the least among us are not forgotten.