Vienna Church To Host Jewish Seder Meal With School Chef

VIENNA, VA — As several religious observances happen during the spring, a Vienna church will encourage interfaith collaboration with a Jewish seder event ahead of its own Easter celebration.

Church of the Good Shepherd, a United Methodist church in Vienna, will host its Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. on March 28 with a seder meal prepared by a Jewish chef. The seder will be hosted with Jason Tepper, executive chef for Alexandria City Public Schools and a friend of Good Shepherd Pastor Eric Song.

"May this Passover meal be a time of joy, reflection, and shared blessings," said Tepper in a statement.

Seder is a meal celebrated during the start of the Jewish Passover observance. Good Shepherd follows the United Methodist Book of Worship, which encourages respect for the Jewish tradition during Christian-hosted seders. This is the first time Good Shepherd's pastor is hosting a seder since coming to the church in 2016.

"I’m grateful to Jason to share his love for food and for tradition," Song said. "The Passover meal is a great reminder of our Jewish tradition and will be shared with new friends and church family."

The seder is open to the community, although reservations are requested by March 27 by calling the church at 703-281-3987 or emailing office@goodshepherdva.com.

The event is held among Good Shepherd's Holy week events from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. On Easter (March 31), the church will have a 6:30 a.m. SONRise service in the church’s outdoor worship area (bring a flashlight) followed by a 9 a.m. brunch and Easter egg hunt. Song said the church also releases about 70 live butterflies for children near the church’s Living Cross outdoors.

For more information about the church's services, visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com.