This Lent I have decided to work at being more disciplined and most especially focusing on our mission statement:  "As a disciple of Christ I am committed to inviting others to be disciples of Christ through daily prayer, attending worship weekly, regular Bible study, having a spiritual friend, giving to the church and outside the church.   I have decided to attend a Bible study on Mark led by Lisa Maxwell.  I have found this a nice way to enliven my spiritual life by making time to reflect on God's love for us by the gift of His only Son.   

Alison and I have also decided to join a small group.  We have three other couples with a total of six children in our group.  We met for the first time this past Saturday.  I found this an excellent chance to get to know some other Christians on a personal level.  I have already begun looking forward to our next meal and Bible study together.  Our small group has helped me realize what a gift children are to a home.  Our children are grown up and I do miss going with them to museums, having the chance to go to their school programs, and just hanging out together as a family.   

Being involved in a small group has also helped me realize how important being in community is for a Christian.  To have the chance to share our common faith and see how this is lived out in uncommon quietly heroic ways makes me want to be a better Christian.

One of the ways I hope to continue to enhance my worship of our Lord is to attend and help lead our Holy Week services.  I always enjoy Palm Sunday which reminds me how closely related tradgedy and triumph are associated with each other.  Jesus is at once welcomed to the Holy city only to be rejected.  On Maundy Thursday, April 1, we will celebrate the Seder at 6pm from the perspective of Jesus.  Then we will share communion and the stripping of the altar at 7pm.  On Good Friday we will have the Good Friday liturgy at noon and then at 7pm have a Taize service with the quiet meditative music associated with that tradition.  We will ask parishioners to sign up and keep watch from 9pm until 6pm. on Holy Saturday.  At the Easter Vigil we will make the transfromation from death to new life as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  At this service we will have liturgical dance.  I hope you will join us for this special service at 7pm.  Finally on Easter we will have our three Sunday services at 8am and 9am and 10am. 

May God grant us a chance of prayer, study, worship, making time to form spritual friendships while challenging us to give to help invite others to be disciples of Christ.  I am,

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Lee