Dear Friends,

“and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

In the month of February, we move from the season of Epiphany where Jesus is “made known” or “revealed” to us as divine, to the season of Lent. During the forty days that begins on February 18th, Ash Wednesday, we set aside time for self examination, spiritual renewal, and growth. For many this is a time for fasting and abstinence, for alms-giving and acts of mercy, for repentance and prayer.

Some of us will use this time to “give up” something for Lent. This may free us from something that distracts us from our relationship with God or a bad habit or it may simplify our lives allowing for more time to pray and to study God’s Word.  Others of us may use this time for fasting our bodies to cleanse it of impurities and to have the reminder that we are sustained by God. Some may choose to commit themselves to acts of service giving time and talent to others.

This season is also used to focus on a particular portion of scripture, prayer or book study that helps us journey with Christ to the cross. We use this season for deeper reflection and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death on Easter. We do this not because God needs us to, but because we need to.

I would like to encourage prayerful consideration of this excellent mediation on “True Lenten Disciplines,” as printed years ago in The Anglican Digest:

“True Lenten Disciplines”

Fast from judging others;
          Feast on Christ dwelling within them.

Fast from fear of illness;
          Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute;
          Feast on speech that purifies.

Fast from discontent;
          Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger;
          Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism;
          Feast on optimism.

Fast from negatives;
          Feast on alternatives.

Fast from bitterness;
          Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern;
          Feast on compassion.

Fast on suspicion;
          Feast on truth.

Fast from gossip;
          Feast on a purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm;
          Feast on prayer that sustains.

Fast from worry;
          Feast on faith.

The Reverend Ann Bonner-Stewart

I pray that we will make the most of this Lenten season and that it will be a time of great self-examination, spiritual renewal and growth.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear friends,
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
                                                                                                                          -2 Corinthians 4:16

The new year fills us with opportunities to set goals and to assess where we are in achieving current and past resolutions.  With last year being a sabbatical year and having the time to focus on some of my goals, I am pleased with where I am as we head into 2026.

I attribute this not to just reaching my goals, but to formulating a “Way of Life” that has helped me to stay in balance with my spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. My simple rule of life (which I renamed “way of life”) follows a focus on eating, praying, moving, loving and resting. When a way of life becomes a rhythm it is no longer about resolutions or goals, but a means to staying in tune with God.

I have formulated a “Rule of Life” for myself many times in the past. What I realized is that I made them too restrictive and too precise to work for me. This time is different in that I made my areas of focus general enough to accomplish, but specific enough to require my attention.

On January 25 during the Family Forum at 9 AM, I will share the importance of having a Rule (or Way) of Life and how to formulate one that works for you. I will share resources to help direct us in getting started. Hopefully, we can set a pace that will help us look back this time next year and feel pleased with where we are in our spiritual, physical and emotional health.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear friends,
We have now entered the liturgical season of Advent as our church calendar begins again. One big difference that you will notice in our worship this year is that the color of the altar hangings and my stole have changed. Instead of the traditional color of purple we now have Sarum blue. (From the Medieval Sarum rite)

I am particularly excited about this change as it has been a growing practice that has its roots deep in our heritage. Records of inventories from the medieval diocese of Salisbury (Sarum) from the 13th and 16th centuries show that blue silk vestments, altar cloths and chasubles were part of the liturgical attire. Today the practice of using blue during Advent is mostly seen in Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopal congregations. This became more prevalent during the Victorian era as a way to distinguish between Advent and Lent. Many Christian churches are shifting the emphasis of Advent from a penitential season, such as Lent, to a celebration of hope and anticipation. We will not neglect that it is also a time of introspection and preparation.

The color blue has several symbolic meanings: royalty, the coming of the King, the night sky before the dawn, the sea as God’s creation, hope and of course, the mother of Jesus, Mary.

This all would not have happened without the leadership of Halsey Dillard and Lisa McCue and their team Stephany Breed, Bea Gates, Jean Hillsman, Betsy Moore and Martha Redstrom-Plourd. In observance of our 325th Anniversary they have gifted their time and talent to make these new adornments for our worship for which we are truly appreciative. The symbols on the hangings represent the Huguenot Cross, the fleur de lis and the dove of peace. The cross with the dove on it was seen while on our pilgrimage in France!

I hope that you enjoy the new hangings and all that they symbolize. May we use this opportunity to reflect on this season of hope.

Blessings,

Gini+