Progress through the calendar waits for no one. So, one week later the event that is pressing in on us is the beginning of Lent. I hope you can take some time to visit Lent 2016 on our website for a complete description of the program. Last year we introduced ourselves to the Rule of St Benedict. Because our 2015 Lent program was so well received we will continue to explore Benedict through his concept of a rule of life.

 

Put simply, a rule of life is like a garden trellis - a structure that ensures optimal growing conditions. This is a wonderful metaphor for our spiritual lives. We need structure that supports us to grow into the person that God is dreaming us into becoming. Our spiritual trellis is our rule of life - a structure and pattern that gives us freedom to grow as we are meant to.

 

We will use the program from St John the Evangelist (SSJE), a community of Benedictine monks in the Episcopal Church located not far from us in Cambridge, Mass. This is an online program entitled Growing a rule of life, and it's designed for individuals, and groups.

 

To begin to prepare for Growing a rule of life at St Martin's please register yourself by signing up to www.SSJE.org/growrule . This will give you access to the short online videos that form the daily element of the program and the download version of the workbook. The online nature of this program means that if you can't or choose not to attend our Tuesday Evening program you can still participate in Growing a rule of life. I realize that evenings are not always easy for those with young children. If you are in this position then following the program online and attending the adult formation hour on Sunday morning offers another way to participate in our Lent Program. However, I hope many of you will want to participate through the Tuesday evening program, which is fully described at Lent 2016 on the website. This year we are asking for a voluntary contribution of $35 per person to cover the costs of a simple meal and program materials.