Lenten Action

For many, Lent is a season to fast or quit something for a while.  Here's an idea for this Lent; let's quit quitting something for Lent.  Instead, let's start something.  Lent is a forty day season from Ash Wednesday to Easter (March 9 - April 24) where we move with Jesus in his life and ministry on the way to Jerusalem, the cross and resurrection.  This is a time when we are to be very much aware of human brokenness and need along with the transformational power of God in our midst.  That being the case, what if we were to simply start a personal practice that intentionally displayed grace and love to others in their need.  Consider a simple and meaningful practice, then choose one for daily practice in Lent.  Here are some examples:

• commit to speaking encouraging and affirming word of a different person each day,
• to spend time listening to someone different each day,
• to volunteer at Community Supper or another ministry to hungry and/or homeless folks,
• pray for those in our midst who are seen as most vulnerable and hurting,
• write notes of kind words,
• smile more
• show gratitude for those in your life

Your additions to the list may be the best, so begin by prayerfully considering what those might be.  Then, forty days of these actions plus whatever else may come to be part of your discipline.  One more thing, keep your practice between you and God.  Guerrilla love and grace!

Vaya Bien,

Greg

The Interfaith Action Inquiry recommends the following two events at Seattle University in March. If enough people express an interest, we'll arrange carpooling.

Reimagining "Religion":

An Interfaith Conversation

On Thursday, March 3, the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University will sponsor a Christian-Muslim-Jewish discussion on the topic of what do we actually mean by "religion"?  The discussion will focus on the relationship of religion to the three faiths' sacred texts and ask whether we should see religion as an individual worldview, a social institution, a communal identity, a set of practices, or something else.

...and with One Great Hour of Sharing we join in sharing with Christians across town and around the world.  Our dimes and dollars combine with theirs, and then are faithfully distributed to those in need due to natural disaster, and as development support.  From Haiti to New Zealand, and close to home with the recent devastating fire in White Swan, WA, our giving becomes a loving helping hand, supported by our prayers, when sudden need envelops whole communities.

All Pilgrims will receive this special offering on March 20, and distribute the funds evenly through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ.