Being Community

 Saint Anne's is an intergenerational community. We are people of all ages, all stages of life. All people, including children, are welcome in every part of our community life. The presence of children is a joy, and a sign of life. And it can also be challenging, as they bring their energy, and their noise, with them.

As the numbers of children at Saint Anne's has grown, we find a need to address in new ways how to be community together. How can we help children learn to pray in silence and stillness? How can we embrace the exuberance and joy of our youngest members? How can we support parents when they bring their children to church -- and also in their life at home? How can we help children grow in their faith, within the community? How can we ensure that our older members can hear, and find the stillness and reverence they need for their souls? How can we help everyone feel safe and included?

Lent is a good time to emphasize stillness and reverence in the sanctuary. Sunday Club will be helping children learn to quiet their bodies in worship. We'll be offering more and better quiet activities for children during worship, and help for parents.

Lent is also a good time for us to practice seeking and serving Christ in all persons, including each other. The Christian community is our practice place for learning how to do this in the wider world.

Blessings, Lydia +

Spring Cleaning for the Soul

Spiritual Spring Cleaning in Lent

A Note from Lydia

In the rhythm of our church seasons, Lent is an opportunity to focus on our interior spiritual lives.  The word Lent is related to “lengthen”, and refers to the lengthening of the days in springtime.  I like to think of Lent as a time of spring cleaning for the soul.  Dust out the cobwebs, clear out the clutter, get rid of old stuff that’s in the way, scrub and polish the things that are still good but have been neglected.  A Lenten discipline of self-denial or of renewed attention to daily prayer and Bible reading can help with the spring cleaning.  Such disciplines are a gift to oneself, not a way to earn God’s approval.  They are tools to help us refocus our hearts and minds, and make us more open to recognizing God within us and around us.

Show to me during these Lenten days

how to take the daily things of life

and by submerging them in the sacred,

to infuse them with a great love

for you, O God, and for others.

Guide me to perform simple acts of love and prayer,

the real works of reform and renewal

of this overture to the spring of the Spirit.

O Father of Jesus, Mother of Christ,

help me not to waste these precious Lenten days

of my soul’s spiritual springtime.

-- “Lenten Psalm of Awakening” by Edward Hays, from Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim

I hope you will find a focus that will help you grow spiritually during Lent.  I hope you will make Sunday worship a priority during Lent.  And I hope you will participate in the Lenten Wednesdays program, February 25-March 25.  The soup supper will feed your body and your soul too, as you get to know other St. Annians.  Three different classes will offer learning and spiritual growth for everyone age 3 and up.  Holden Evening Prayer will send you home with a prayer on your lips and a song in your heart.  Come for all or part of the evening.

Faithfully,

Lydia+