Dear Friends,

“Sing to the Lord” -Psalm 96:1

 I feel that the music during our services can make a difference in our level of worship. Whether we are singing out loud or quietly, hearing a beautiful hymn, anthem or familiar service music can make us feel as if we have prayed twice, as the old saying goes. I am always thankful for the outstanding music program that we have at Manakin Church, and I am especially appreciative of Rita and the choir members for their hard work and commitment to bring us the fullness of each service during Holy Week.

As you are receiving this newsletter we are making our way from the pageantry of Palm Sunday to the festive celebration of Easter Sunday. Sometimes I think that it would be nice to go straight from the parade of palms and the singing of “All glory laud and honor” to “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” on Easter morning. We could skip right over the Passion reading, the Last Supper, the betrayal by Judas, the abandonment of the Disciples, the Stations of the Cross, the pain, the suffering and Jesus’ death on the cross. But I believe it is necessary for us to experience this week, and I hope that you will participate in the services either in-person or online. I feel that we must know the anguish of the journey to the cross to fully understand and appreciate Easter. The singing, the joy and the excitement of Easter are more fully experienced when we take this trek with Christ.

 Knowing that every hymn and anthem is especially chosen to compliment the lessons of each service, may we sing along and feel the Spirit moving within us.

Blessings,
Gini+

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+