A Lenten Letter

Dear Eucharist Church, 

2023 is well underway and it is hard to believe that in a few short weeks we will be entering the season of Lent together. It feels a bit like a liminal season to me, still enjoying some vestiges of the Christmastide feasts while thinking upon the fast to come. (Speaking of, I hope you will plan to join us for our last hurrah before Lent, our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feast!)

A hallmark of the Lenten season is fasting and discipline. We often choose to abstain from certain types of food or pleasure or practices to make room for contemplation, penitence, and preparation. Perhaps you, like myself, are wondering, What will I give up for Lent this year? What will I take up during this season? 

This letter is definitely not a prescription; I’m not even suggesting that you give up anything at all for Lent. What I’d like to do today is invite you to prayerfully approach this Lenten season. Perhaps that means that you will choose to give something up or take something up. Perhaps that means you will choose to meet with a priest for confession, or with a dear friend for accountability and prayer. Perhaps there is a book that you could read and discuss with others. Perhaps silence and solitude are needed. Whatever you choose to do, or not do, let us together approach Lent with intention. 

And if I may humbly add one last thing: if service is on your Lenten list of things to take up, we could sure use your help here at Eucharist. We have an incredible group of volunteers already and, thanks to them, we are able to keep things running smoothly on Sundays. I’d love for you to join them! We have especial need for volunteers in our Eucharist Kids classrooms, serving some of the youngest among us. Fr. Kyle used to say that our kids are not the church of tomorrow, they are an important part of our church now. We need more adults who are willing to give some of their Sunday time to worshiping alongside our kids in their classrooms. If you are interested and willing to serve with Eucharist Kids or in any other volunteer role, please reach out to me.  

Only a Director of Operations at a church can turn a Lenten letter into a request for service. :) Truly though, please join me in praying that God would meet us, individually and communally, this Lenten season and that we would be well prepared for the feast of Christ’s resurrection! 

Almighty God, you alone gave us the breath of life, and you alone can keep alive in us the holy desires you impart. We beseech you, for your compassion’s sake, to sanctify all our thoughts and endeavors, that we may neither begin an action without a pure intention nor continue it without your blessing. And grant that, having the eyes of our mind enlightened to behold things invisible and unseen, we may in heart be inspired by your wisdom, in work be upheld by your strength, and in the end be accepted as your faithful servants; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 

In solidarity and with love, 
Ferial