SYMBOLISM on a weekend...

    In the course of a TEC weekend there is significant amount of “symbolism” taking place in our programming and worship.  There are normally reasons why we do everything we do.  We try our best to explain these things along the way, but sometimes a person misses the explanations, or we may overlook something.

   The following list is compiled to better help you understand the “symbolism” and why we do what we do.  If you, your parents or your youth directors have any further questions, please feel free to contact any of the following people for more information.
   Jason Kempthorne at jkempthorne@mtkalutheran.org TEC Council President
   Mike Montesinos  952-894-3406 Weekender Allocations
   Pastor John Rogers  612-472-7068 SD/Host Church Coordinator

    Weekend Schedule:  The entire weekend is based upon the John 12:24 text that reads, “Unless a grain of wheat falls unto the ground and dies, it remains alone.  But if it does die, it bears much fruit.”  Friday is the “Die Day” in which you go through Ash Wednesday, Lent, the Stations of the Cross, and Good Friday.  Saturday is the “Rise Day” when you experience the Easter Vigil, Reaffirmation of Baptism, Easter Eucharist, and the Agape dinner.  Sunday is the “Going Forth Day” on which you are prepared to go back home and congregation and share the gift of Christ with those around you.

    “Surprises”:  Contrary to popular belief, there are no “secrets” about a TEC weekend.  The reason that you were not told about much of what takes place on a weekend and why you are asked not to share certain things about a TEC weekend, is this.  It is more fun (and effective) that the Weekenders be surprised about what happens next on a TEC weekend.  It’s certainly okay to tell others about TEC, in fact we encourage it, but you are asked not to tell about some of the special events that take place on a weekend.

    Time/Watches:  The reason you don’t normally see clocks and why you are asked to put away watches is simple.  People are often “scheduled to death” in their daily lives, so for the three days of TEC, you need not worry about time or schedules, you just enjoy each moment as it happens.

    Names of tables:  The various names of the usual seven tables on a weekend all have significance to the Apostle Paul, Colossae, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Philippi, Rome, and Thessolonica were places that Paul did mission work and set up Christian community.

    Clay pots at each table:  You may have noticed the progression involving this clay pot throughout the weekend.  It began as an empty pot, the dirt appeared, next wheat packets were added, the wheat began to grow and finally, by the end of the weekend the wheat was fully grown,  This corresponds to the weekend theme in John 12:24.

    TEC Talks:  There are 9 talks given by youth and the Spiritual Directors/Leaders on every TEC weekend.  They are “Who Am I?”, “Sacred Scriptures”, “Easter Mystery”, “Metanoia”, “God is Love”, “Christian People in the Community”, “Communications”, “Christians Called to Action”, and “Beyond TEC”.

   Ash Wednesday Service:  Ash Wednesday is the day that marks the beginning of Lent in the Church year.  The mood is somber.  It is a time for self-examination, confession and a time to reflect on how each of us contributed to Christ’s death by our own sinfulness.  The pastors and lectors are dressed in black to symbolize our sinfulness.

    Burning of palm branches & placing ashes on foreheads:  Palm branches are burned during the Ash Wednesday service to signify how our words of praise go up in smoke and dissolve to ashes (so did the praises of the people on the first Palm Sunday).  Each time we praise God one minute, we sin against Him the next.  The ashes from these palms are placed in the shape of the Cross on the forehead.  Again, this signifies our mortal nature and our participation in Christ’s crucifixion.

    Lenten Service:  This signifies the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning, not including Sundays.  It continues to be a time of self-examination and reflection.  In Luke 4:1-13, we remember how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days, and how we too are tempted in many of the same ways.

    Stations of the Cross:  This is often done with “live” stations.  The people you see at each station are people involved with TEC and are acting out the various steps that Jesus took towards the Cross.  The church is darkened as we walk from station to station, resembling how the early Christians had to hide in the darkened catacombs to worship together.

    Picture of Jesus in envelope:  During the time of Lent, you are asked to write your sins/burdens and “stumbling blocks” on pieces of paper, then fold them and later place them in an envelope and find that you pushed that nail through your sins/burdens and a picture of Jesus!  This signifies that Christ died for our sins, and we crucified Him with them.

    Burning of sins on the Cross:  This is certainly no Klu Klux Klan ritual!!!  We take our sins/burdens and push them onto a nail on the Cross.  Upon lighting them, words of absolution are spoken, the sins disappear into the air as smoke and crumble as ashes!  This signifies that when we offer our sins to God, He takes them to the Cross with Christ and WE ARE FORGIVEN!  Our sins are gone and God “remembers them no more”.  Jeremiah 31:34
 
    Paschal Candle:  This is the large, tall candle used in some of our services.  “Paschal”, meaning sacrificial, represents Jesus Christ being the Light of the world that shines our of the darkness, John 1:4-5.  It is sometimes called the “Christ Candle”.

    Easter Vigil Service:  This is the service in which we await the promise of the risen Christ, between the time Jesus was crucified and His resurrection on Easter morning.  Old Testament scripture is read, hymns are sung and liturgy is read that says, again and again, how God saves His people.  We wait in eager anticipation for the glorious Easter event.

    Use of Incense:  Sometimes incense is used in the Easter Vigil service, depending on the host church’s approval.  It is an old worship tradition that was thought to be pleasing to God.  It symbolizes our songs and prayers rising to God as the smoke gently rises upward.
Reaffirmation of Baptism:  This follows the Easter Vigil service.  The same liturgy that is used in most confirmation services is used here.  It is a time for simply reaffirming our faith in God.

    Use of Baptismal Waters:  The ashes that were placed on your forehead during the Ash Wednesday service are washed off with Baptismal water during the Reaffirmation of Baptism service.  This symbolizes how God washes us clean from our sins, in and through our Baptisms.  You are not being re-baptized!

    Easter Eucharist:  The service of celebration that rejoices in Christ’s resurrection!  When we receive the bread and wine/grape juice in Holy Communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and so also receive God’s Love, Grace and all His blessings as members of His family and heirs to His kingdom.

    Bible Enthronement:  The Bible and Eternal Candle stand in the conference room throughout the weekend following the “Sacred Scriptures” talk.  They stand as a beacon to remind us that our Bible, is our book of faith and a light unto our path in a darkened world, 2Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105.

    Agape:  “Agape” is one of several Greek words meaning love.  It is God’s unconditional, “no strings attached”, love for you and all people within the Body of Christ.

    Wheat:  This is the name given to those “love gifts” that you are given throughout the weekend.  Wheat comes in many forms: cards, letters, bookmarks, stickers, candy, food, prayers, etc…  The use of the word “Wheat” comes from the TEC theme John 12:24.

    Wheat Chapel:  This is a place where much mediation and prayer occur.  The Wheat Chapel is the place where your prayer requests are lifted up to God and you are prayed for, by name, throughout the weekend.  It is also the place where the teams and weekenders are “commissioned” in the Name of Christ.

    Commissioning Service:  On the last day, each table is escorted to the Wheat Chapel to be “commissioned”.  You are “commissioned” with the same words Jesus “commissioned” His disciples.  To “go forth” unto all peoples in the world and share His Word of Love and Grace.  Matthew 28:16-20

    Whole group sharing:  At the end of the weekend there is a time for “whole group sharing”.  Everyone, team and weekenders, are in a large circle on the floor as one large group.  This is done not only for a time of sharing and reflection of the weekend, but it shows that there is no longer a distinction between us.  There are no longer separate tables, “Team” or “Weekenders”.  We are all “one” in the Body of Christ.  1Corinthians 12

    Wheat stoles, Kitchen and Support aprons:  The stoles worn around the necks of each of the Wheat team and Spiritual Directors/Leaders and the aprons worn by the Kitchen and Support teams signify the “yoke of obedience” to God.  They took these upon themselves as they offered their unique gifts and talents to the service of God throughout the weekend.  Matthew 11:29

    There are probably other bits of symbolism that might have been overlooked in this compilation, but this covers that majority of the reasons we do what we do on each weekend.  If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask someone or write to: council@mmltec.org.