By Peter Munson
In the Episcopal Church, we have a long-standing tradition of walking “the way of the cross” during Lent, the church season that leads up to Easter. During Lent, we enter into a time of self-examination and repentance, a time of prayer, fasting, and self-denial, a time of reading and meditating on the Holy Scriptures, a time of giving alms (giving time and money to the less fortunate). What we don’t always do is intentionally join in with others who are also walking the way of the cross, and share what we are learning, how we are being challenged to grow, how we are experiencing God, and what the transforming power of God looks like in our lives.
The Rev. Peter Munson, rector of St. Ambrose, invites you into the observance of a holy Lent and to a class that will meet from 7:00 to 8:30 on Wednesday nights – on February 10, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24, and April 7 – so that we can be part of such a group. Lent this year begins on Ash Wednesday – February 17. The class on February 10 will help us prepare for Lent. You are invited to participate in one of our Ash Wednesday services on February 17 (at 7 am, 12 pm, or 7 pm). The classes from March 3 through March 24 will be an opportunity for all of us to share something about our Lenten journeys. On March 31 you are invited to participate in our Holy Week service that night. (This is the week when we remember the last week of Jesus’ life.) On April 7, we will share with each other our final reflections on what we learned and how we experienced God during Lent. (Easter Sunday is on April 4 this year.)
Our faith tends to grow even more when we share our faith journey with others. Please join us in these forty days of commitment! See how God blesses you, as you make this journey to the cross once again.
Schedule Summary
- February 10 Preparing for Lent – first group meeting
- February 17 Ash Wednesday observances (Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion)
- February 24 Group sharing – our Lenten journeys
- March 3 Group sharing
- March 10 Group sharing
- March 17 Group sharing
- March 24 Group sharing
- March 31 Holy Week service
- April 4 Easter Sunday (worship at 8 and 10:30 am; brunch/egg hunt at 9:15 am)
- April 7 Reflections on our Lenten journeys – final group meeting