I was listening to the radio broadcast last night of the Homelessness Marathon, an all-night radio show highlighting those who live without adequate housing in America. This was the 18th annual show of this type and this time they chose Washington DC. In conjunction with Street Sense, Epiphany provided the location, refreshments, and accommodations for the broadcast. Many of our worshipers from the Welcome Table were there to talk on the air about their experiences with homelessness. It was a great melding of common mission and commitment. 

As I was listening I was struck by something one of the callers mentioned almost in passing. He said one of the things that makes the biggest difference for him is relationships. The more I thought about it the more I realized that is true for all of us. Relationships are at the heart of who we are - as Christians, as members of our families and communities, as citizens in the world. Indeed, isn't that what makes the Welcome Table program and Street Church worship special? Otherwise we would be hosting just another downtown program. 

This Lenten season is an opportunity for us to deepen our relationships with God and our neighbor. We can do this by engaging in new prayer practices (see the Wednesday evening offerings in this newsletter for more information), enjoying new worship experiences (like the addition of music on Wednesdays at 12:10 or our Instructed Eucharists on Sundays), or offering ourselves in other ways (joining a ministry team, for example). At the very center of all of these is relationship. 

I invite you to listen to how God is calling you into relationship this Lent. Is it through music and prayer? Is it through conversation and leadership? Is it through reconnecting with an old friend? Is it through Scripture? Is it through the gentle handshake at the peace with someone sitting nearby? I'd love to hear how your relationships are transformed during this time of intentional listening. I'll be paying attention, too, to that still small voice calling me to find God in new and deeper relationships this Lent. 

Faithfully,

Elizabeth