Dear St. Marians,
We began the Lenten season this week with two inspiring services for Ash Wednesday, one of which was ecumenical, joining our sisters and brothers in Christ from Beyond the Walls Ministries. The preparation time leading up to Easter has so many meanings, but chiefly we remember it as a time of greater devotion when we take on disciplines of self-denial or neighbor love to prepare our hearts for Holy Week and Easter.
What have you decided to take on as your Lenten Discipline? One of our young people, I think he’s 11 years old, asked me at our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper if I would be fasting from food on Ash Wednesday, which I always do. He told me he was going to try the fast for the first time and said “I’m taking my religion more seriously this year.” That was inspiring, coming from one of our young members.
Our Daughters of the King also are taking on additional service this Lent, and they wanted me to invite you to join them in what the Diocese has asked us to do: “Give up your Silence for Lent.” This specifically refers to making your voice heard in our state government, in unity with other Episcopalians across the state.
This is a way to respond to God’s call and to live into our Baptismal Covenant in which we promise to “Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
We have postcards in the Welcome Center during this season for you to write on any public policy issues that you are concerned about, to our representatives. Read the details about the campaign, and even get postcard writing tips, and links to personally address your representatives here: Advocacy Day 2025 Postcard Campaign – The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
You may send the postcards you write to the diocese, or drop them off in the church office by April 10th and we will return them to the Diocese together. Then, when the Diocese gathers at the State House for our Advocacy Day, we will bring all these cards from Diocesan churches and hand-deliver them.
Whatever you choose to do this Lent, I hope it helps you prepare to walk the way of the cross with Jesus, which we know is the way of life and peace. Remember, if you are burdened with ways that you fall short of the glory of God through things you have done, said, or thought, the clergy are available for the sacramental act “Reconciliation of a Penitent” (Confession) in privately scheduled sessions. Simply call or email Fr. Foster or me if you desire to meet with us.
Blessings for a Holy Lent,
Fr. Rob