This week is a fitting week to think about life’s fragility, about the call to not take a day for granted.  As I rest (mostly) and strengthen for the days ahead, I am aware of how tired I am and the challenges we’ve been through in last couple weeks. I sure feel mortal. And I need to.  It’s a refreshed awareness of being in God’s hands and your kind prayers

As I think of our dear members grieving, facing daily challenges, living on auto-pilot, or preparing to leave this life, I am mindful of the Word which says “Teach us to number our days.”  It’s a sense of the preciousness of life and God’s abundant desires for us which is the backdrop of my spiritual understanding of Ash Wednesday and Lent.  The season of walking more intentionally in Christ’s company is the season for coming alive with Him. Anything that needs to be put to death in us is for this purpose…repentance is for Good News.

During Lent, we typically give up or take on new practices to enliven our heart connection to the Lord. Pray, fast, give is the common mantra. This year. we will once again reflect on Scriptural texts about awakening, about participating in Christ’s work within us as we gather for Ash Wednesday (Zoom Only).  In the coming weeks, Sarah will bring this into special focus with the writing reflection group inspired by Lent In Plain Sight.  It will be my prayer that we will be drawn into a collage of daily practices which bring alive the lessons we each need to learn.  The holy  in the ordinary. KNown because we’re paying attention. Changed because we say Yes to God’s kindness.

I hope you’ll join us for the Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday night at 7pm (ZOOM ONLY, no service at church).  If the ritual will be meaningful to you, I encourage you prepare a little soil, lightly moistened, to take the place of ashes during the service.  If you’d like ashes imposed earlier in the day, Sarah will be at the church from 9am-11am to make them available.

In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Jacki