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"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." from The Book of Common Prayer Many of you probably know that I am not a cradle Episcopalian. In fact, I was almost thirty when my increasing dissatisfaction with the Evangelical tradition I was raised in finally made me look seriously for alternatives. I found my faith, with all its history and traditions, then found this church. I have had the pleasure and satisfaction of marrying someone who shares both with me. Yet I still find myself struggling at times with this odd season of Lent. You see, growing up I only knew of it from friends who spoke casually of "giving up" something after Mardi Gras, but it seemed almost a game for most of them. I never gave it a thought. In my childhood Easter announced its presence only by sale ads in the papers and the sudden appearance of Palm Sunday. Over the last thirty years I have observed Lent in various ways, and with varying degrees of intent. I have ignored it; I have given up smoking; I have tried to institute a more rigorous approach to prayers and devotions; I have suceeded at times and failed at times. I have not, however, taken the time to examine the season itself. This year, the Christian Ed committee invites you to join us on Wednesday evenings, both for a Lenten evening service and a time of study and fellowship. We will use the Invitation to a Holy Lent as a basis for our study, beginning with self-examination and repentance, and work on the relationship between prayer, fasting and self-denial with reading and meditating on the Word. I hope you will join us in making this Lenten season the most meaningful ever. Vance |
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Last Modified: January 31, 2012 |
