The Lentiest Lent, help, and connections.
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
This picture (to the right) has been making its way around the internet in church-y and clergy circles. Last week it was everywhere, impossible to miss in all my social media feeds. Lent is always a season of wilderness. A season when we are invited into scarcity, penitence, fasting, and prayer. For many, Lent is not their favorite season because of the severity of the invitation. You know me well enough to know that I happen to love Lent - and I think there is a lot of beauty and potential for growth in the wilderness seasons. In fact, God shows up time and time again in the wilderness - for Moses, for Elijah, for Jesus, and for all of God's people. I believe God is showing up for us, too. And having said that, this Lent is something different. And there's really been no invitation, instead this season has just happened.
In the conversations I've had with folks over the last week, I know that this season is wearing on you. The severity of the isolation, the moving parts of having kids and family home, the challenges of staying safe, the worry for those you love, all of it beginning to amplify fear and anxiety. We should acknowledge and honor all those challenges and many others in the midst of this time. I've said to many of you over the course of the last few weeks that all of us are doing our best; each one of us learning how to navigate this time as best we can, making the best decisions we can with the information we have. And while I will still encourage you to find some balance, to be good to yourselves, to find ways to be kind to the people around you - still, the best balm we have is being together, making space for God and each other.
I've so enjoyed seeing many of your faces over the course of the last few weeks, whether helping to lead worship, in fellowship, private conversations, or in formation sessions. It's a gift to see and hear from you. And I know there are a number of faces we haven't seen yet, so I want to especially invite you to come join us in Zoom rooms. It is not too late to plug in. I am not the only one who is missing your voice and your presence. If you need help with the technology, just send me a note and we'll get you some help.
If you need other kinds of help, send me a note about that, too. We have come to a time now when it would be very wise for our Seniors and for those in vulnerable populations to stop venturing out. Please do that. If you need help getting groceries or with any other errands, be in touch so that we can help you. Our Pastoral Care team has been working with me to prepare for the time when many might need help - so we have mechanisms in place to support our Seniors and those who are most at risk. This afternoon, I'm working on some precautions that our shoppers and helpers can take for themselves and for the people they are helping. So, if you need help, please let us help.
And remember, if this is the lentiest Lent you've ever had - that all seasons of lent and seasons of wilderness do eventually come to an end. The promise of our faith is still that light shines in the darkness, flowers bloom in the spring, stones roll away from tombs, and life always conquers death. In fact, next week, we will delve deeply together into that very story. If you need light in the darkness and hope in the midst of despair, then I invite you to take very seriously the opportunities for worship and connection throughout Holy Week.
God bless you. God keep you. God bring us back safely together again.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector