by the Rev. Jared Cramer

As the weather of the season makes its transition from the chill of winter to those first few buds of spring, those in the church spend time preparing for new birth. Since earliest centuries of Christianity, the followers of Jesus have marked the 40 days before Easter as a time of self-examination, repentance, and prayer.

Before we celebrate the resurrection of Christ in Easter, we spend some time in quiet, considering where in our lives we sense death, grief, struggle, and pain. We start the season with a priest rubbing some ash on our foreheads, reminding us that we are only mortal, and bidding us to a holy Lent.

This can be hard stuff.

And, like all the hard stuff in life, it’s not something you should go through alone. So we’d like to invite you to rise from the pain in your life, put your hand in ours and walk the season of Lent with us. Come to church on Sundays and hear the stories of Jesus’ walk towards Jerusalem. Join one of our Lenten Book Groups as we reflect upon five of Flannery O’Conner’s short stories. Come to our Sunday Faith Formation hour discussions on Discernment and Vocation. Leave the burdens of life for a few hours and listen for God’s voice during our Lenten Retreat.

Walk Lent with us. We know so very well that there is pain and darkness in this world—and in our lives. Walk Lent with us and we are certain you will find water for your parched soul. Walk Lent with us and prepare for the destruction of every Power that hurts and destroys the creatures of God.

You are not alone.

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