Welcome to this April 4 edition of the Faithfully Magazine Newsletter. We are observing Holy Saturday.

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Dear Reader…

Christians across traditions mark today as Holy Saturday — the uncertain, quiet space between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is the day when Jesus’ disciples huddled behind closed doors, confused and afraid. They were acutely aware that the body of their Lord lay wrapped in graveclothes in a tomb guarded, perhaps, by the very same soldiers who had just hours before tortured Him and strung Him up on a tree (Acts 5:30, 10:39; Galatians 3:13).

It is a day of grief and reflection, a time to sit with the reality of the brutal execution of an innocent man who came to save us. Each year, we are reminded not to rush to Sunday simply because we already know the ending.

As we sit with the weight of the crucifixion, it is impossible not to reflect on the very real suffering of those around us who may find it difficult to imagine an “Easter Sunday.”

We hold in our hearts those snatched from their homes, jobs and children’s schools, and herded into ICE detention centers only to face neglect, abuse, and even death.

We remember our Palestinian and Arab Christian siblings who are currently being terrorized, ​displaced, and denied the dignity of their own Holy Week observances.

In the in-between space of Holy Saturday — this already-but-not-yet existence — we are called to mourn, to reflect, and to bear witness.

To that end, I want to point you to the Good Friday service from Alfred Street Baptist Church, themed “Sisters at the Cross.” The service reflects on the seven last words of Christ, centering the often-overlooked presence of women who remained with Jesus to the end. It is a powerful invitation to sit fully in the tension of the cross.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• The Breadth of Forgiveness: When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,” he wasn’t just talking about the soldiers. “Them” includes the mockers, the indifferent, the religious leaders, and even us. (Dr. Joy Challenger Slaughter)
• The Urgency of “Today”: To the thief on the cross, Jesus promised paradise today. We are challenged to stop “someday-ing” our faith and start “today-ing” — trusting, forgiving, and returning to God right now. (Rev. Dr. Latasha Morgan)
• The Power of Nearness: Even in his agony, Jesus looked after his mother. By staying near the cross, Mary was positioned for a promise. Even in family tension, the cross offers a place of reconciliation. (Rev. Dr. Lekesha R. Attuquayefio)
• The Permission to Holler: Jesus’ cry of abandonment (“Why have you forsaken me?”) gives us permission to be honest about our pain. “The first step to healing is hollering.” We don’t have to pretend it doesn’t hurt. (Min. Jessica Anderson)
• The Sacred Thirst: Jesus’ thirst was both physical and spiritual. It calls us to be “thirsty” for justice — for the marginalized, the unhoused, and those denied care. (Rev. Marla Hawkins)
• The Reality of Tetelestai: “It is finished” (Tetelestai) means the work is done even before it is fully manifested. You can be “healed and hurting” at the same time, trusting that the completion is already settled in heaven. (Min. Deja Wilson)
• The Final Committal: Jesus performed his own “committal service,” entrusting his spirit into the Father’s hands. It is a reminder that when we are tired and ready to go home, we are being “scooped up” by a God whose hands provide ultimate care. (Rev. Dr. Marcia Norfleet)

I encourage you to watch the full service and reflect on the “strange fruit” of the lynching tree and the immense love that kept Jesus there.

With hope for the morning,

Nicola, Managing Editor

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