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Dear Friends of National City Christian Church Foundation,
Blessings on this season of Lent. This is my favorite time of the liturgical year where we journey with a bit more focus and intention toward a deeper understanding of our God and our work together. I often say that the easiest place to access God is in your neighbor and I think that reminder in this season is more important than ever. This is why we say “We Need Each Other” each week. Keeping that focus in this season of life and ministry together is imperative for the work of the Church and of course our Foundation.
This year for Lent, National City is following the devotional called “Tell Me Something Good” by Sanctified Art. I chose it because I think we all need the reminder that goodness continues to be a thread of this life even when it feels distant. The devotional is a beautiful journey of faith using community, culture, and art that I hope will add to your lenten practices. The devotional can be found via the button below. I hope you will share with us something good that is happening with you and God in this season. We always look forward to sharing in your and God’s Good News.
Lent of course starts with Ash Wednesday and this Ash Wednesday I was so humbled to to bless people in our church and wider community with the sign of the cross and a reminder that we are all connected to something bigger than this one wild and precious life. Ash Wednesday and Lent call us into reflection about our sacred beginnings and endings. This past month we lost two members of our community, Lauria Carey and Emma King. Two women who ended their time with us on earth but who begin anew with God.
As I do often, I spent time in our columbarium this week to talk to our Saints and to give thanks and recognition for all of their beginnings and endings with God and National City. What a sacred task we are given to care for the eternal earthly rest of so many beloveds. It is why I take it seriously as part of my pastoral call, to spend time there, because even when we begin anew with God, we don’t stop speaking to those we love and our Saints guide me often. I appreciate the permanence of our columbarium inside our walls, especially in a season of life that feels so chaotic and fleeting.
That is why our Foundation matters so much. Our beginning started with a dream and faithful desire to offer a ministry of presence and permanence to Disciples around the world here in Washington D.C. The ministry of presence is a ministry we cannot undervalue. People, seasons, and even administrations come and go, but the Good News of Christ is forever, and the need for us to speak to that truth is necessary today and always. Whether you are an established friend of the Foundation, a new and curious Disciple looking to support our work, or are an inurned Saint still guiding us, your ministry of presence is needed for the work the Foundation is called to do as we share the Good News of the Gospel.
So friends, I hope this Lent, this journey with Jesus toward the cross, has you reflecting on your beginnings and endings with God and God’s community. May we be inspired to remember that how and when we show up matters to people’s understanding of who we are as a Foundation and as people of faith. I am grateful to be on this journey with you all.
Lenten blessings for all of your beginnings and endings in the unending love of Christ,
Pastor Stephanie
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