Easter Sunday was a day of worship,

relaxation

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- For many local residents, Easter Sunday was a time of reflection, worship, and relaxation, as residents enjoyed the mild weather throughout the day.

For Christians and Catholics alike, the morning began with an early mass, followed by a breakfast, such as was held at First United Methodist Church.

On Easter, the church starts with an early morning contemporary worship service designed to draw people who are either not Methodists, or who are looking for something different in the way of worship, member Paul Seifert said.

"Easter is the one day when more people go to church than any other day of the year, even Christmas," he said. "So, the contemporary service and breakfast help visitors feel more welcome."

Following the breakfast, there was a traditional worship service and Bible study. The service focused on the Easter story.

Other residents, wanting a less-religious observance for Easter, spent the morning entertaining children with a traditional Easter egg hunt. For the Paul Pelzel family of rural Sleepy Eye, that meant a day spent at Flandrau State Park.

"We started early this morning, when we came out here to hide the eggs in the picnic area," he said. "This is sort of a family reunion for us this year, since easter fell so late and Monday is a holiday for many schools."

Following the egg hunt, the family spent the afternoon grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, and enjoying the warm day.

"It isn't as nice as it was yesterday, because of the wind, but at least we don't have the clouds to deal with," Pelzel said. "This way, the kids can fly their kites."

Others, like the Alexander Jacoby family of Nicollet, saw it as an opportunity to visit relatives in New Ulm, enjoy a large meal, and relax.

"It's a tradition with us to spend Easter in New Ulm," he said. "We go to my mother-in-laws house, have a big ham dinner with all the trimmings, and visit."

They spent some time at the Way of the Cross before heading over to dinner, taking time to reflect.

"I am not much of a religious person, really," he said. "But, I am not an atheist either. I believe Easter is a time to reflect on the life of a person who did make a difference in the world. Just because I don't go to church every Sunday, doesn't mean I can't celebrate the religious significance of Easter."

Still others, like Mary Wilfahrt of New Ulm, reflected on memories of a different nature, as she visited the grave of her husband at New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

"My husband died on Easter Sunday three years ago," she said. "I come here every year on Easter Sunday, regardless of when it falls, to celebrate our life together and to tell him I'll see him soon."

Placing an Easter lily on his grave, she turned toward the statue of Jesus at the entrance to the cemetery, crossed herself, and cried.