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Sunrise Easter fish breakfast at Hope UMC

April 12, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Years ago, before the Rev. David Martin started serving in the former Troy Conference, he attended an indoor sunrise service at his wife’s parents’ Presbyterian church in Burlington, VT.

A congregant at the church had prepared a baked fish dish for “coffee hour” after the service.

“It was really good,” Rev. Martin exclaimed.

He continued, “A reference was made to the third resurrection appearance in John’s gospel. The connection stuck with me.” 

As the years went on, Rev. Martin and his wife would set up a grill behind the church he was serving in Brattleboro, VT, overlooking the Connecticut River and read John 21. They grilled ocean perch and wrapped it in pita slathered in butter to pass around for breakfast.

Rev. Martin said, “Then we went home and got cleaned up for ‘real church’ later that morning. We’ve never stopped doing it. We shout alleluia so loud that I’m always hoarse for the regular Easter morning service.”

Rev. Martin now serves Hope UMC in Troy and continues the Easter sunrise fish breakfast tradition.

This year, the outdoor service with the fish breakfast was cold but beautiful. Fifteen members attended.

Rev, Martin said, “My kids have always loved it. It’s often very cold, but I can only remember it raining once. It’s never been a hugely attended service, but people who come once often return. It’s simple, joyful, messy worship from the heart. And fish grilled in dill butter in pita is pretty amazing!”