Dear St. Anne’s,
We are just weeks away from starting Lent, a season of anticipation, self-reflection, and prayer. Christians take these five weeks to prepare themselves for Holy Week and our most important holiday – Easter, when God brought Jesus back from the dead to a new resurrected life. This is the most significant event ever! God overcame death to reconcile us to God’s self.
Some people take the weeks of Lent to give up something. Every time the craving for whatever was given up comes along, they don’t indulge, they feel a bit uncomfortable, and use this as a reminder to pray. They reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death, and pray for forgiveness of their sins, for the times they forgot to love.
Some people take the season of Lent to reflect on the incredible gift of new life and pray in thanksgiving for all God has provided. Often people will add in something extra into their life – reading the Bible, attending services, or doing something extra to demonstrate their love for God and their neighbors.
Either way, giving something up or taking more on, these are reminders to increasing one’s prayer life. We pray to talk with God. Some prayers are said internally, some out loud, some are familiar and memorized, some sound like a conversation between friends. Sometimes our prayers are said in silence and stillness, and some while we are going about our day and rushing around. There isn’t one right way to pray! All that we are asked to do is to find a way to draw closer to God.
To help with an increased prayer practice during Lent we are offering an opportunity to learn about and practice a variety of ways to pray. We will use the Book of Common Prayer and other resources from a variety of Christian communities and experiment each week with a new form of prayer. All will be types of prayers that Christians have been using for centuries. We will meet in the church on Wednesdays from noon to 1PM. Please join us beginning on March 1 through April 5. Each session stands alone so join us when you can. If you have any questions, please contact me.
But, before Lent begins there is a favorite tradition to get together and stuff ourselves with pancakes! This meal is officially the last day to indulge before Lent begins. Please plan on joining us in the parish hall for good food and fun on “Shrove Tuesday” February 21, from 5:30 to 6:30PM.
Lent begins the following day, Ash Wednesday. We will be having a Eucharist on Wednesday February 22 at noon. This service will include the imposition of ashes as a sign of our mortality and penitence.
I am praying for all of us to take the season of Lent as a time to practice drawing closer to God. Consider what you will do to make space in your days and in your heart for God. Giving up or adding something in, being at church or being out in God’s creation, let’s all intentionally draw closer to God who loves each of us so much.
Annie+