My dad always said that even though he was a Protestant minister and I was a Buddhist, it was all about the same thing:  love and compassion.  So, I went to the Park Avenue Christian Church for Easter Sunday.  I took my mom because I always am trying to think of activities that she can do and will enjoy and understand.  My dad was the youth minister at PACC before I was even born and then, 25 years later,  he was the interim minister there when he was 75 years old.  My parents have many friends and connections at this church.

Here is Rev. Alvin Jackson giving the Easter Sunday message, which was Will You Dance With Me?

Even though this jewel of a church — a mini-cathedral, really, with Tiffany stain glass windows — is elegant and formal, the congregation looks like NYC.  Colors, ages, sizes, hairdos, orange sneakers, Easter hats, lots of little kids — it’s a real church as a church should be, tremendous vitality.   And Rev. Jackson along with his associate, Rev. Katherine Kinnamon, run the joint, hold the sacred space and preach the good word with sincerity and life!

Alvin is, in my humble opinion, a great preacher.  The real deal.  His sermon was also great — as in, greatness.  He talked about how when Jesus arose and came out of the crypt his followers clung to him.  He removed their hands and said, “Don’t cling to me.  Go ahead and move on, do the work, spread the goodness that we have shared.”  Alvin said this means we can Practice Resurrection.  Not just talk or celebrate or read or study but get up and go out, Move! Dance!  This is exactly what Buddha said on his deathbed as his disciples asked him what they should do after he was gone.  He said, “Make yourself a light.”  In other words, “you know the teachings, now go ahead and do it, practice, move, dance the life, share the goodness, keep it going, turn it over and up and out.”

Alvin got the whole congregation inspired and I was moved to tears.  Brilliant and soulful and inspiring and smart — I like this church a lot.

By the way, because it is New York City after all, the music at PACC is spectacular!  Trumpets, piano, organ and beautiful choir singing.  It was hard not to cry when they sang the Quaker hymn, Lord of the Dance.  Exquisite.

This is Tina Jackson and Millie, two minister's wives. TIna also does yoga and I'm hoping to get her down to OM yoga sometime soon.

Millie and me. She enjoyed the church service but then on the way home, she started crying. She missed my dad and I did, too. He was such a part of our church life. But I remembered what Alvin said and I am going to Practice Resurrection and move. Not get stuck and that is just how my dad would be, too. It's hard sometimes, but Easter is a reminder that moving and living is always the way. We just have to practice.

If you are looking for a church in NYC, this is it!   parkavenuechristianchurch.com

posted on Monday, April 5th, 2010 at 5:53 am.