____________________________________________________________________________________________

A NOTE FROM OUR RECTOR

 Dear friends,
   There are many signs around us that Easter is  almost here: the 2  inches of snow on the ground this morning; the abundance of  chocolate goodies, which weigh down the shelves in all major  supermarkets; and the appearance of Jesus on the front cover of  the Maclean’s magazine which arrived in my mailbox yesterday.  It seems Jesus makes the front cover at least once a year in the week before Easter, as the media, once again, try to uncover the ‘truth’ about the historical accuracy of the resurrection.

As journalists and scholars search for proof that this event really did, or did not occur, I notice, with fits of minor rage, their subtle insinuation that for anyone to take seriously the story of Jesus’ resurrection on that first Easter morning is surprising, far-fetched, and down right ridiculous. It seems that our culture insinuates at every turn that belief is an inferior substitute for knowing -- a lesser kind of knowledge. And so we approach Holy Week and Easter with this subtle cultural sub-text in our mind, and it sits there quite at home with our own nagging doubts and skepticism. Did this event really happen? Am I foolish to go to church and believe this story? Should I even tell my friends and colleagues where I went this morning?

As your recently appointed rector I would like first of all to say that belief is not a lesser kind of knowledge. But instead that belief is a risky, thoughtful and profound kind of knowledge.  Belief recognizes the limits imposed on knowledge by scientific or philosophical criteria. Belief is also a close cousin of that thing called ‘unbelief,’ and together they carry us through the many seasons of life. I encourage you not to give up on belief during this Easter season. Not to assume that the answers are impossible to find and so why bother?

Instead I invite you to enter, imaginatively, into that great story of the first Easter. You might be running flat out with Mary as she discovers the good news of the Risen Lord and wants to tell the others. You might also be hanging back, feeling terribly guilty like Peter for you have denied the very existence of your friend when it mattered the most. Or maybe you and Thomas have the most in common as you demand proof of this resurrection story. Wherever you find yourself in the Easter story, I hope that you might also find yourself in a place where you can entertain the Truth. At St. George’s we strive to be a community of individuals who are exploring our faith and our doubts together even as we worship the Lord and declare that Christ is Risen indeed: Alleluia. We would love for you to join us in our rejoicing!

Happy Easter

___________________________________________________________________________________________

WARMING RECIPES FOR WINTER

FOR THE SOUP:

1 cup red lentils

2 onions, chopped

2 tbsp vegetable oil

5 garlic cloves, minced

4 tsp grated fresh ginger root

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup drained canned tomatoes

Cook onions in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add lentils, broth, tomatoes, and 1-1/2 cups water. Simmer covered for 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Cool. Puree in food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. May be made in advance and chilled or frozen. Reheat, and thin as desired with water.

SPICED OIL:

2 tbsp oil

1-1/2 tsp fresh red chilies or

1/4 tsp dried chilies

1/4 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp cumin seed

Heat oil in small pan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Add spices and fry for 10-15 seconds. They should sizzle but remove from heat before they turn black. Add the oil and spices to the soup. May add chopped fresh tomato to each bowl when serving.

- recipe from Pat Ewenson

Orange Muffins

1 whole orange

½ cup orange juice

½ cup chopped dates

1 egg

½ cup butter or margarine

1 ½ cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin tins.

Cut orange into pieces, remove seeds and drop pieces into blender. Blend with orange juice, dates, egg and butter. Into a bowl put flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Pour orange mixture over dry ingredients and stir lightly. Drop into muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

- Recipe from Joan Jackson

____________________________________________________________________________________________THE The CRUSADER
Is published four times yearly by
St. George’s Anglican Church

11733 - 87 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6G 0Y4

Executive Editor: Sue Oliver
stgeorges@telus.net.

Editor: Julia Boberg
jboberg@shaw.ca