Easter Sunday is April 8, and the days leading up to it are busiest for preachers.

So we asked this question on Facebook -- What can church members do to help clergy during Holy Week? -- and here's what we heard back:


TRY to be understanding if we seem distracted and stressed. Maybe save the questions about the need for new toilets in the bathroom for next week.
-- Rev. Laura Rasor, Colonial Heights UMC, Knoxville District

VISIT the sick. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Shelter the homeless and the sojourner. Oh, and ask to copy some bulletins or volunteer to read or pray or greet folk in worship.
-- Rev. Brandon Berg, Nickelsville Circuit, Big Stone Gap District
 
PRAY for us, our families, for our congregation and for the worship services. Participate in Holy Week services/activities. When possible, don't plan too much higher order thinking for next week. We're pretty drained after this week. Most pastors and church workers' families don't "get" Easter on Easter weekend. It starts for us on Sunday afternoon, generally.
-- Rev. Amy Probst, Broadway UMC, Maryville District

BE the disciples God has called you to be through Jesus Christ.
-- Rev. John Grimm, Gladeville-Mount Olivet Circuit, Wytheville District     

SING lustily ... even at the sunrise service! (I say that because if we're going to have Holy Week services, even though not too many may show up for them, it helps if the ones who do come act like they want to be there and sing and worship with all their being -- the same way we should always worship!)
-- Rev. Betsy Elifrots Warren, Gate City UMC, Big Stone Gap District