Parading palms: Aurora Christians open Holy Week with Palm Sunday procession

On March 24, Aurora Methodists joined Christians worldwide with a parade to mark Palm Sunday.

To open the morning worship, the Rev. Tammy Scott at Aurora's Wesley United Methodist Church led children waving palms in a procession down the sanctuary aisle. The event recalled the biblical story of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem when cheering crowds laid palm branches and cloaks on Jesus’ path.

Jonathan Akyea was among congregants spreading blankets in the aisle before the procession. Rev. Scott said, "Scripture says people waved branches and laid cloaks on Jesus’ path. So we waved palm branches and laid blankets."

Each congregant received a palm leaf on entering the sanctuary. Palm Sunday opens Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year. Included are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, the first Sunday after Palm Sunday.

Five holy events and holidays are packed into late March. They are Ramadan, beginning March 10 11; Nowruz, March 19 in U.S., March 20 in Iran; Purim, March 23-24; Palm Sunday, March 24; and Holi, March 25.

Pastor Scott invites the public to Holy Week events at Wesley, 14 N. May St. in Aurora. Admission and parking are free. The schedule is Maundy Thursday, March 28, at 6 p.m.; Good Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m.; Easter vigil, March 30, at 7 p.m. at St. David's E[piscopal Church, 701 N. Randall Rd. in Aurora; and Easter worship on March 31, 10:30 a.m. at Wesley.

Call (630) 896-1033 or visit wesleyumcaurora.org for more information.