Dear Friends in Christ,

We are in the middle of Epiphany and heading straight towards Lent. The season of Epiphany is short, yet very important. In it, we read stories of great epiphanies, which are life changing realizations. They are those moments when you say “a-ha” or “By George I think I got it!” In these stories, we read about the realizations that people had regarding God and Jesus that led them to great service in His name. Many of our disciples and saints were just ordinary (also very flawed) human beings who at some point or another had an Epiphany and then did something great.

We are similarly called in our lives. We can’t all be great saints of the church, but we can do whatever we are able to do to serve God in our lives. I invite you all to ponder what epiphanies you have had in your lives and how you can turn those realizations into service for God in the world.

Lent starts in March! It is late this year, March 5th. I am so excited to attend the Pancake Dinner for Shrove Tuesday on Sunday March 2nd, and I hope you can join us for that and the Lenten Soup and Study (details below). Lent is a wonderful season, a time when we are to renew our commitment to God and Jesus’ mission in the world. We do this through fasting, prayer, education, and personal reflection. This does not have to be a dour and miserable time (as we sometimes think Lent to be), rather a quiet, reflective time, and there can be much joy in that as well. We give things up or add things (like daily prayer) during Lent in order to bring ourselves closer to God and deepen our faith. Therefore, if you are going to do something extra for Lent, really pray about why you are doing it and how it will bring you closer to God.

We have a lot going on around here, and I am so pleased! Many blessings be upon you and your families.

Yours in Christ,

Mo. Lauren

The Rev. Lauren T. McLeavey
Rector

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