Look Toward a Meaningful Lenten Practice This Year

“I imagine Lent for you and for me as a great departure from the greedy, anxious antineighborliness of our economy, a great departure from our exclusionary politics that fears the other, a great departure from self-indulgent consumerism that devours creation. And then an arrival in a new neighborhood, because it is a gift to be simple, it is a gift to be free; it is a gift to come down where we ought to be.”
― Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent

Walter Bruggemann's words are so true. Lent is a time to escape that which consumes our minds and to focus on our own Spiritual depth and growth. There are many ways we can do this in our faith community, and I want to outline a few of those for you. Committing to all of the options below would be fairly ambitious, but doable. I encourage you to pick two or three from this list and stick to them.

First, start Lent on Ash Wednesday by attending our Ash Wednesday service of healing and wholeness. This service is Wednesday, March 6th, at 6:00 p.m. This service is an interactive service that includes dramatic readings, an art installation, and an opportunity for silent reflection. All are welcome, and I encourage you to reach out of your comfort zone and ask others to join you. Childcare is available for preschool aged children.

Second, commit to a personal Lenten practice from Ash Wednesday through Easter. We'll be providing free devotional journals for this purpose. The journals use poetry, art, and devotional reflection. If the journal we're providing doesn't seem quite right, send an email to Pastor Traci for other suggestions that might suit you better.

Third, commit to regular worship during Lent. Our services will focus on the theme of "Letting Go and Letting Grow." What are the things in our lives that we want to get rid of and let go of, and what are the things we want to see more of? The weekly theme is as follows:

Week 1: March 10, Letting Go of Personal Power
Week 2, March 17: Letting Go of Fear
Week 3, March 24: Letting Go of Easy Answers
Week 4, March 31: Letting Grace Grow
Week 5, April 7: Letting Love Grow
Week 6, April 14: Palm Sunday: Don't Keep Quiet!
Week 7: April 21: Easter: Christ is Risen!

Fourth, commit to a communal study, either online or on Wednesday Evenings. The Lenten Book we'll be studying is Rob Bell's What Is the Bible?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform The Way You Think and Feel About Everything. The study is Wednesday Evenings during Lent, and also online, for those who can't make it to the in person study. See details inside this announcement bulletin.

Fifth, take some time out for quiet and interactive worship stations. The sanctuary will be open on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 for this purpose. If you're attending the Wednesday study, you can head in before or after the study. If you're not attending the study and you're able to come in for a few minutes of silence and creative worship, I encourage you to do so. The dates and times the sanctuary will be open are as follows: March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, and April 17.

What will you commit to this Lent? Stretch yourself. See what God will do.

With gratitude,
Pastor Traci