Zen, in the Buddhist tradition, is the Japanese word for something like this: Directly pointing at one’s heart, seeing one’s nature, becoming Buddha.

Tenebrae is the Latin for “shadows” and is the name of the service traditionally held on Good Friday, the day that Jesus was crucified.

This service invites us to enter into the shadows of the end of our own day and, through story, the end of Jesus life, with the intention of finding insight.

Come to this Zen Tenebrae expecting a simple, deep experiential entry into the story of the last day of the life of a man named Jesus. His life and persona have been made bigger than life. This service holds the possibility that if we return to his very human experience of living and dying that we may also see into our own nature, find something significant in our own hearts.

We invite people to come and bring a meditation cushion for sitting on the floor. There will also be chairs for those who prefer to sit in a chair. The service will incorporate candles, darkness, music, Tibetan bells, readings of the last day of Jesus’ life from the gospel of Mark–the simplest and oldest version found in the Christian Bible, silence, and the invitation to reflect and ponder the meaning of our lives. We will leave the service in silence and gather again on Sunday morning to celebrate Easter, with Rev. Teague leading.
Bob Patrick, Service Leader.

Contributors: Lydia Patrick, Miriam Patrick, Karen Smith, Devon McQuain, Carol Richardson