February 2020 Grace Notes

Grace and Peace to you all!

As we enter into February, we will begin the season of Lent beginning on Wednesday, February 26 ^th at 6:30 p.m. with the imposition of ashes and communion.

As a young girl, I remember loving Lent, probably because so much of the focus was on food. Our tradition of Lent began the day before Lent on Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday. It was a time we always had potato pancakes and enjoyed the sweets we would soon be giving up for the next 40 days plus Sundays.

Ash Wednesday was marked by the ‘meal’ of the Last Supper that we shared together as a family of faith. Throughout the balance of the Wednesdays, we gathered together to share a meal and worship. I loved those potluck meals. Not only did I love the range of foods offered, but I didn’t have to help do the dishes. I was free to eat what I wanted to, sit with my friends, and drink as much kool-aid as my stomach could handle. It was a family meal to me. Each one watched out for another, shared recipes, and had that extra opportunity to be together.

Maundy Thursday we shared in the ‘meal’ of communion and recollected the last supper Christ had with his friends and disciples. Then came the celebration of Easter. Eggs were colored, hidden, and eaten. Easter egg baskets were hidden, found, and eaten. An elaborate Easter meal was shared with family, and sometimes others who might not otherwise share a meal.

I remember the lessons of food throughout Lent, both literally and theologically. Food is part of our faith – coffee hours, potlucks, meals following a wedding or funeral, and holy communion. Christ used the ordinary in meals – bread and juice – to serve as a reminder of who we are and who we belong to – God, through Christ.

As we prepare to enter the season of Lent, I still connect it to food. This year, during the Wednesdays between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week, we will try something new. See how, or if, it works for us. We will gather in the lower level and share a simple meal, share space and conversation together, and then offer a hands-on learning time around the theme of prayer. My hope is to open our minds to traditional and non-traditional ways to pray. It is a wonderful opportunity for all ages, so please invite a friend. All are welcome!

Blessings,

Pastor Beth

Join us on Feb 16 ^th following both worship services for a time of listening and sharing of ideas about how and where our ministry can grow with us as we mature.  Some ideas to consider may be developing a care team (as our congregation matures it is important to consider the needs of those in our faith community as well as our friends and neighbors). Please bring your ideas and join in the conversation to consider how we may live into loving and caring for one another in our faith community. Perhaps this looks like visiting and sitting with those who are homebound, offering support to those who have lost a spouse, fun activities to do together (bunco, cards, etc.), preventative programs, offering meals to those in crisis, a wheelchair, a defibulator? Think about what you have noticed others needing, what you may need, or what may make quality of life better as we continue to mature. 

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.

January is when we typically set our resolutions for the year. Maybe its to get more fit, eat better, read more, or some type of life change. In many cases, by February, we are ready to let those go and get back to normal. This goes as well for yoga, tai chi, or meditation. We start out strong, ready to become the yogis we see in the videos and articles we read. What we forget though is that those yogis we see have been doing their practice regularly for many years. I have been studying Yin Yoga under Paulie Zink for almost a year now and he has amazing flexiblity. The immediate thought that came to mind is this guy at 65 years old able to be so flexible? Maybe he’s double jointed? I asked and his reply was no. He has just been doing it consistently for 40 years. No matter what your practice the key is commitment and consistency. 

When Paul wrote the verse above, he emphasizes those two points. He talks about “righteousness from first to last” (consistency). And then he follows it with “The righteous will live by faith” (commitment). We need both. When we approach our yoga mat or meditation pillow, we first need commitment. Commitment to maintaining our practice and to ensuring we do it. As well, consistency. We consistently come to our practice. Be it twice a day, daily, or weekly. Even when we don’t feel like it, or feel we don’t have time. 

So how do we build a resolution sustaining practice? The first step is to commit to it. Determine how often you want to do it, when you are going to, and commit to it. Block out a time of day that works for you. Make that your sacred time and it can’t be filled by other items. Second, start out simple. It would be great if you could do those poses you see on TV, or meditate for hours on end, right out of the gate. Unfortunately that is not being very realistic. Instead start with what you are comfortable doing. Maybe 10 minutes to start a meditation. Maybe 30 minutes of basic poses for yoga. Keep it simple and realistic. From there begin to add. For meditation maybe its adding five minutes each time you see your successes. For yoga, maybe its adding more advanced poses or more time to your practice. As well, sign up for classes to learn and get help. 

Each time we practice is a new beginning. An opportunity to grow and develop as a person. In life it is the same. Each day we have a new beginning and those opportunities are the same. Its through the teaching of Paul of living our faith through commitment and consistency that we grow. As well, take time to enjoy your practice. Its about the journey, not the finish line. 

Join us for Yin Yoga on Monday evenings at 5:30pm at Grace.

All are welcome!

Join us for simple lenten suppers beginning on March 4 at 5:30pm (and the Wednesdays following through April 1) as we gather around the table together, share in worship and participate in faith formation around the practice of prayer. Volunteers will be needed to host (prepare and serve) the meals. The meals are intended to be simple, Pastor Beth will serve a baked potato bar to start things off on March 4th. There is a signup sheet in the foyer to sign up to host. We hope you will join us for this meaningful time of reflection in the life of the church.