Empty tomb rolls

This Sunday morning I attended an Easter service at Two Rivers Church. One of our Anglican parishioners was baptized there. She has been attending a weekly Bible study at Two Rivers and chose that community for her baptism. Rev. Ann, our Anglican priest, joyfully supported her decision and invited a few of us to attend as a sign of encouragement. Four of us went to be present with our friend. I was deeply moved by Rev. Ann’s generous spirit and her commitment to Kingdom-minded unity across churches in supporting this parishioner.

Rev. Ann also officiated an infant baptism in our church, which sparked my curiosity as I prepare for my upcoming Anglican Confirmation course. Growing up in an Evangelical tradition, infant baptism was not part of my discipleship experience, so I look forward to deepening my understanding on it.

I was inspired to witness five baptisms at Two Rivers Church: three youth and two adults. The three youth were baptized with both of their parents beside them—what a profound joy and honour for those two families to participate so intimately in such a sacred moment. The teenage girl shared something that stayed with me: “I don’t understand it all, and I think I’ll always have questions. But today, I am choosing Jesus.” I was also touched by the tender gesture of her older brother, who gently patted her back in quiet support. I celebrate families like those at Two Rivers who have left familiarity and comfort in their hometowns to respond to the call of the Risen Christ and moved to Quesnel to ministry.

Yesterday, my family and I were invited to an Easter egg painting event at Quesnel's Trinity Lutheran church. It was a joy to experience the rich, embodied traditions of that faith community. I was especially delighted by the Easter tree—pussy willow branches adorned with beautifully decorated Easter eggs made by the children. My favorite part, however, was tasting the Resurrection Rolls, also known as “Empty Tomb” buns. When you bite into them, they are hollow inside, symbolizing the empty tomb. They are both delicious and simple to make—many thanks to the kind woman from the Lutheran church who shared the recipe with me. Here it is.

As I made them this morning for my family, a deeper meaning unfolded for me. The white marshmallow can represent Jesus’ sinless life. In preparation for His burial, He was anointed with aromatic spices, which I symbolized by coating the marshmallow in melted butter and cinnamon. I then wrapped it in dough, resembling burial linens, and baked it. The result is a sweet, hollow pastry—an edible reminder of the empty tomb and the hope of resurrection. It speaks to the sweet promise of life beyond death and the reunion with those who have gone before us.  Integrating food into our faith traditions let us taste its goodness.

May we, like the Marys at Jesus' tomb, remain faithful, returning to places of grief and uncertainty, out of love, and may we be surprised by joy in miraculous ways. Easter shows us a God who is willing to identify with our human experience including in death to show us that death does not have the last word in our story.  During Easter we see unchurched people considering entering a church and churched people worshiping with other Christian communities in unity. Christians are Easter people: sent like Mary to go tell others that Christ is alive and well.  

I end with one of my favorite Easter songs which was a tradition back on East Vancouver Grandview church: “Who Will Roll Away the Stone?” by Tom Wuest.

Christ is making all things new.