How are you all doing, beloveds of God? Tired? Hopeful? Lonely? Heartened? A mixture of all of the above? We are about one month into 2021, and it already feels like it's been a longer year than that, largely thanks to the various events in the life of our nation. There is light at the end of the tunnel regarding COVID thanks to the vaccine, but the rollout has been slow, so we have to keep on being careful and staying home. (I do rejoice that so many of you have received at least the first dose!) We are approaching one year of being in this strange time of pandemic living; last February was our last "normal" month.
I don't know about you, but all of that contributes to time being extra-strange lately. Days go by somewhat quickly, and so do most weeks, but they all add up to seem much longer than they actually are.
Soon, we will enter a season of holy time: Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17. Having been in a wilderness of sorts for nearly a year, entering the wilderness of Lent sounds a bit extra. What if our Lenten practices this year focused on taking on rather than subtracting/giving up/fasting, as a way of honoring how much we've already given up this past year? Will you take on an intentional prayer practice, or perhaps extra charitable giving or volunteering, or maybe start to regularly make phone calls those who are particularly isolated? Or, you might choose to read some new books by Black authors as a way to observe Black History Month and to practice seeing the Imago Dei in each person (here are some options from Chalice Press!). Maybe you could take on a practice of baking (there will be a couple of recipes in your Lent/Easter bag...more info about these later in this issue!) and leaving it on the porches of your friends and neighbors as a way of brightening their (and your) days.
In worship this Lenten season, our theme is Community of Jesus | Community of Love. As we experience Lent together, we'll recognize that even now, we are not alone. Although we are in the wilderness, we are there with one another and with God. As we travel through this holy time toward the cross, we'll do so alongside loved ones and strangers who show us Christ's face each step of the way.
I hope to see you all at one of our Ash Wednesday services, All-Church Sunday School, and Wednesday and/or Friday morning prayer. There are many opportunities to grow closer to God and to one another ahead of us. And, as always, reach out to me or to Pastor Chelsea if you just need someone to talk to (even just for fun). We really do want to hear how you're doing.
Love and peace to you,
Megan