The Seder celebration reminds us of the roots and values we share with the Jewish community. It recalls the Jews’ transition from slavery to freedom, the same transition that we experience today. Like the Jews of old, we need to stay the course as we struggle towards freedom in the midst of today’s world problems.

The celebration of the Eucharist in small groups at tables is a powerful reminder that to share a meal is to confirm our love for each other. It brings us closer together as the People of God, the Body of Christ.

Just as the Jews determined that their faith was not centered in the temple which was destroyed, we realize that we the people are the Body of Christ, and we also need no building. We are the Body of Christ on Holy Thursday, every Thursday, and all the other days of the week.

and

Ron Eldred , for the past six years, has been involved in editing and publishing a national liturgical newsletter supporting positive liturgical reform. Retired since 2000, Ron has also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Courage Center and the Wilder Foundation. He is married to Pat Eldred, who teaches English at St. Kates. They have two children, Sheila and David, who are both married, and one amazing grandson. Both Pat and Ron were in parish ministry in the 1960's. They are now members of St. Joan's, experiencing and helping move forward the reforms begun at Vatican II forty years ago.

The numbers:

• 850 – Pounds of food consumed
• 550 – People of God at the celebration
• 400 – Pounds of casserole consumed
• 350 – Cookies that were frosted
• 49 – Number of the first table called to the dinner serving line
• 40 –Volunteers involved in planning, preparation and cleanup
• 20 – Approximate number of years for Seder meal, dinner and Eucharist at Joan of Arc
• 16 – Years that TLC has been the caterer for the meal
• 7 – Pans of bread pudding consumed
• 4 – Members in the host family
• 4 – Pounds of raisins in the bread pudding
• 1 – Number of pans of bread pudding consumed by volunteers before the celebration ever began
• 1 – Coordinator for the Seder meal, Steve Friedrichs
• 1 – Number of pastors presiding for the first time – Fr. Jim DeBruycker
• 1 – Number of assistant pastors serving as food volunteer – Fr. Jim Cassidy

Laurel March, Marie Goblirsch and Mike McShane share what the Seder Supper means to them.
Cathy and Dale Meyer, owners of TLC Catering and long time members of the parish, consider it an honor to prepare the food, handle the logistics, and work with the volunteers to provide a warm and hospitable setting for the Seder Supper.
Bob Barns learned all about lively Jewish tunes by playing for Jewish weddings. He has been a member of Joan of Arc for ten years.	Addie Kuntz, proud that she is going on 3, assesses the food and at the same time vies for the cutest kid award.	Fr. George Wertin, looking far too relaxed in his role as former pastor, joins the celebration .
Joel Halvorson of the host family carries wine in the Offertory procession. Joel has worked at the Science Museum of Minnesota for the past eleven years.	Young Ms. Wani, daughter of Jacklin Wani, dances to the strains of “We Who Believe in Freedom.	May Lane-Bernardo has been the dance leader for the offertory procession for six years and a member of the parish for twelve years. She received a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from St. Thomas and now teaches theology at Benilde-St. Margaret. She has two daughters, Brianna and Shauna.
Carolmae Frissell and her daughter Jennifer, host family members, process with the bread for the Eucharistic celebration. Carolmae has taught in Chaska for over twenty years. Jennifer is in high school at Southwest. Jennifer's twin brother, Jonathon, attends Edina High School.