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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Featured Article
Senior Minister's Intro to Lent
Ash Wednesday March 5
Soul Stretch with Rev. Michael
WIFI Wednesdays March 12 - April 16
Lenten Book Study starts March 12
Food for Toco Hills through March 9
Lenten Booklets Available
Holy Week: April 13
 
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Our Journey Through Lent
 
 
A blog post from Rev. Michael for the beginning of Lent:

Sometimes the history of a word can open the possibilities for its present potential.  I often feel that "Lent" gets a "bad name;" I'm sometimes asked, "What did you give up for Lent," indicating the commonly held belief that Lent is a time of penance or fasting and depravation.  I do fast occasionally for health ... Continue reading �...�

ASH WEDNESDAY

March 5, 6:00 PM - Fellowship Hall; 7:00 PM - Sanctuary

The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season finally closes with the celebration of Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday," also called "Shrove Tuesday") and the season of Lent-Easter-Pentecost opens with Ash Wednesday. On March 5, there will be a pancake supper sponsored by the youth at 6:00 PM followed by a 30 minute contemplative service at 7:00 PM. During worship, communion and the imposition of ashes will be offered.

 

 

SOUL STRETCH: 

LENGTHENING IN LENT

 

 

Online in Lent

Too often, Lent gets "bad press;" folk ask each other what they have "given up" for 40 days of "purity" or even punishment.  Similar to Advent, Lent is a season of preparation. In Advent, we make space for what might be birthed in our lives; in Lent, we prepare to revisit the resurrection.  The word "Lent" comes from an Old English word that means "lengthen," as in the lengthening of days or "spring."  Lent is a time for contemplation and growth, perhaps not a season of penitence.  It is a time of renewal, recalibration, and recommitment moving toward resurrection and new life.

 

To support our annual contemplative season of growth, Rev. Michael will be writing and posting in Lent on three "Cs":  center, compassion, and cleanse.  He will post prayers, quotations and spiritual practices on his Facebook page, Central's Facebook page, and on his blog (www.whereheartandmindmeet.com). Be sure to "like" or "follow" the pages, comment on the posts, and/or share on your own Facebook page.

 

Mondays, March 10 to April 14 5:30 - 6:45 PM

Additionally, Rev. Michael is offering a weekly meditation and GENTLE yoga practice on Monday nights on March 10 through April 14 (skipping March 31) from 5:30 to 6:45pm.  This practice will include a brief "talk," breathing meditation, several contemplative (Yin) yoga poses, and ends with an extended relaxation.  Registration is STRONGLY requested (for one session or the series).  For more information or to register:  Rev. Michael.

 

WIFI: WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER AND PROGRAM

Wednesdays, March 12 through April 16 - 5:30-7:30 PM - Fellowship Hall

Supper and fun at Central-no cooking!-every Wednesday March 12 through April 16. Supper from 5:30 - 6:30 and an intergenerational activity from 6:30- 7:30.  Yummy casual food (home cooked or catered) followed by games or music or an outdoor walk, even our own Passion Play on April 9.  Put WIFI on your calendar now (Wednesday Intergenerational Families and Individuals). And btw, there really is WIFI.  OK to bring your homework with you.

 

 

LENTEN BOOK GROUP

(Wednesdays, March 12 to April 16, 6:30-7:30 PM - Fireplace Room)

 

Lent is the season between Marti Gras and Easter that is a time of self-reflection and some "spring cleaning" of our soul.  Let's explore together as we open the door to our heart to reveal the vast treasure of who we are and how the sacred is present in us.  Designed as a six-week process with a daily reflection, the class will meet on Wednesday nights after the WIFI dinner.  Open the Door, by Joyce Rupp, is readily available in both print and as an e-book.   Please contact Michelle Holtmann with questions or to sign-up.

 

                                   

"Joyce Rupp brings new life to the ageless spiritual image of the door, weaving insights from East and West with the wisdom of contemporary spiritual writers, poets, and novelists in a practical format that is just right for contemporary readers. [It is] structured as a daily prayer guide for everyday use over six weeks..." - Ave Maria Press

 

 

 

BRING FOOD FOR TOCO HILLS FOOD PANTRY NOW TILL MARCH 9

CHILDREN WALKING FOR HUNGER (Sunday, March 9, 11:00 AM)

LUNCHEON FOR TOCO HILLS FOOD PANTRY (Sunday March 9, 12:15 PM)

On Sunday, March 9, the children will have an opportunity to raise money for hungry people. They will have a walk at Central. Please support their walk by pledging money to our young walkers. There will be a table in the Commons during the next few weeks. Money raise will go to Church World Service and to Toco Hills Community Alliance. Following worship, we will have a lunch. All donations will go to Toco Hills Community Alliance. A representative of the Toco Hills Community Alliance will speak to us during lunch about all the services they provide. They are our ecumenical neighborhood outreach. Please bring food for the Toco Hills Food Pantry over the next few weeks. You may leave them in the containers in the entryway. We thank you for donations of any non-perishable donations.


 


CALMLY PLOTTING THE RESURRECTION -  

Lenten Booklets Available

 

A devotional booklet written by the UCC Stillspeaking Writers' Group is available. The writers are composed of UCC ministers and authors who collaborate on a wide variety of resources for people in the church, outside the church, and not so sure about the church. Their motto is "Hearing God where you live (and other surprising places." If you would like a copy of their Lenten Devotional Booklet, please email [email protected]. Supplies are limited. The booklet cost is $3.

HOLY WEEK

Palm Sunday: April 13th

Maundy Thursday: April 17th - Good Friday: April 18th

Easter Sunday: April 20th