Dear Friends,

I have thoroughly enjoyed the few days of springlike weather that we recently experienced with warmer temperatures and sunshine. With the forecast for a bit more snow, I realize that spring is not as close as I hoped and that we will have to endure a bit more of winter before getting there. I see this as an analogy for Easter. I can’t wait for Easter Sunday, but I know that we must go through the season of Lent to arrive.

Although Jesus’ time in the wilderness was grueling, our time during Lent doesn’t need to be dreadful. We can look at this season as an opportunity to transform our lives to be more open to and in a better relationship with God. This can be an exciting time of growth.

Several folks have reached out to me asking for guidance with their Lenten discipline. Although we are a couple of weeks into the season, it is not too late to start, change or add to your current practice. Maggie Dawn, an English author and theologian offers 40 ways to keep a joyful, thankful and holy Lent. I would like to share some of my top favorites for your consideration:

1. Choose a new musician or artist and listen to their work regularly throughout Lent.
2. Say “I’m sorry”. Is there a relationship that needs healing?
3. Send a brief email, make a phone call or send a note to a friend every day or week during Lent.
4. Make a point of smiling and saying “thank you”.
5. Power down. Take a break from your electronics committing to “power off” hours as you spend time with your family and friends.
6. Read all the way through one Gospel of your choice.
7. Say a prayer of thanksgiving every day.
8. Take your unwanted clothes and household items to a charity for donation.
9. Turn your heat down one or two degrees to save energy.
10. Find a source for locally grown food or try growing something yourself!
11. Take a daily walk.
12. Clean the windows to let the sunshine in!

And to add my own:

13. Practice “Praying in Color” using coloring as a prayer tool. (prayingincolor.com)
14. Participate in Forward Movement’s Lent Madness to learn more about the Saints of the church. (lentmaddness.org)
15. Attend our family Wednesday night dinner and movie program. This is a terrific time of fellowship and learning during the season.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Whatever you choose to do or abstain from in this Lenten season, may this be a time of spiritual growth and opportunity and not just merely a time of endurance.

Blessings,

Gini+

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+