Hi Parkway People!

It is a well-known fact that everyone loves rules. 

Everyone loves being told what they can and can't do. 

It is just natural to accept and appreciate living within limits.

Or....maybe I've got that wrong.

I know there are plenty of us who are the exact opposite of what I wrote -- 

Like to feel in control

Don't want to be told what to do

Deeply value the freedom to live how we choose-- 

But, at the same time, much of the fullness and thriving each of us desire to live in one way or other depends not on:

Absolute freedom

Unquestioned power

Or overflowing resources -- 

But instead grows from the ways we intentionally limit ourselves to a certain way of living.

The word 'rule' comes from the Latin 'regula' -- which on one hand means exactly what you think it means — laws, regulations and the authority of royalty and governments.

But -- 

regula was also used to talk about straight pieces of wood. The kind you would use to build something. Some linguists trace regula down to the modern word 'trellis' — the straight pieces of wood, the lattice that support vines as they creep and grow upwards.

The trellis — the rule — the regula is what gives structure so that vines can grow and thrive. Without that structure, vines can grow, but be trampled. Without the regula, the fruit that might otherwise be harvested from the vine, will wither, rot, or never start to grow.

This is true of us as well.

This Lent, Parkway's series is called Designed to Thrive

And in this run-up to Easter, we'll dig into rules — not as someone else telling us what to do, but how faith practices can build a structure that enables a thriving life.

Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5^th with the observance of Ash Wednesday — a holy day celebrated by Jesus followers for thousands of years. Ash Wednesday is a call to examine how you live. 

What are you missing? 

What needs to be cut back or go entirely? 

What could thrive with a different structure?

Parkway will mark Ash Wednesday with a brief service on Wednesday, March 5^th at 7pm in the Worship Center. There will be no childcare — families are encouraged to sit and receive both Communion and the Imposition of Ashes together.

On that note — Wednesday Night Bible Study will NOT meet on Ash Wednesday.

Children and Students 4.12 Ministry will NOT meet Ash Wednesday OR the following week (3/12) for Spring Break.

Each Sunday through Lent will lean into our 2025 focus on Formation with practical approaches to faith practices that each have a part to play in building a structure for a thriving life. 

We will also approach these practices and this season of Lent through Holy Communion as formation — each week in Lent, after some opening music, we will share in Communion as a holy practice that forms our identity as followers of Jesus.

Two other quick updates:

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29th, 9am - Noon.

This will be our annual outside workday to clean up the Parkway grounds, flowerbeds, and gardens. Phase 1 of the garden project should be finished in plenty of time for us to get into the space, see the progress, and get our hands dirty.

The Parkway Board is looking to put together a small team of people to develop a long-term facilities maintenance plan. If you have experience with construction, maintenance, etc., we would love your expertise as we make a plan to care for the Parkway facilities into the future. If you're able to help, please reply to this email and let me know.

I am excited to give you a preview of Lent. Stay tuned for more information about Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter Eggs, and the ways we are building community and following Jesus together at Parkway.

Justin