Pivot

#123: Holy Week: Slowing Down the Journey

In this 6-minute reflection, Terri invites listeners to slow down and fully experience Holy Week—from Palm Sunday to Easter—highlighting how embracing its solemn moments deepens our faith and appreciation of Christ’s resurrection

Holy Week marks the most pivotal moments in the Christian faith, but how often do we rush to get to Easter morning? In this thoughtful 6-minute reflection, Terri invites listeners to slow down and experience the complete journey.

Drawing from personal experiences of bringing her young children to Good Friday services, Terri illustrates how encountering the darkness and solemnity of Christ’s death creates a deeper appreciation for Easter’s resurrection joy. She explores how each moment of Holy Week—from Palm Sunday’s “Hosannas” to the confusion of the Last Supper to the waiting of Holy Saturday—enriches our faith journey.

Terri reminds us that Jesus brought a countercultural message of unconditional love to a world focused on who’s in and who’s out—a message that continues to challenge and transform us today. This brief but meaningful episode offers listeners permission to sit with difficult questions and emotions, knowing that Easter’s promise awaits.

Perfect for personal reflection or sharing with your congregation as Holy Week approaches.

https://youtu.be/vebuelywQ3A
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Meet Your Host

  • Terri Elton

    Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

    Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

    Before her work in the synod, she served at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn. for 16 years. While at Prince of Peace she worked in various roles within children, youth and family ministries, as well as served as the director of Changing Church Forum, an outreach ministry of Prince of Peace. She also authored To Know, To Live, To Grow, a confirmation curriculum, and co-authored What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders, with the Rev. Mike Foss.

    Elton holds a B.A. degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. (1986). She earned both her M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.

    Elton’s research and teaching interests include: congregational leadership, leading in the midst of change and conflict, helping ministry leaders craft a missional ecclesiology with an eye toward the First Third of Life, awakening a vibrant theology of baptism and vocation and reimagining faith and mission practices for children, youth, young adults and their families.

    Elton is a member of the Academy of Religious Leadership, the Association of Youth Ministry Educators, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and the American Society of Missiology and is on the board for Real Resources. Elton spends much of her time working with congregations and congregational leaders and seeks out opportunities for enhancing ministry with those in the First Third of Life within the ELCA.