This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope and pray that you all are well. Lent is officially upon us. Yesterday, Christians around the world celebrated "Ash Wednesday." Together we repented of our sins, asked God for forgiveness, and committed to participating in a Holy Lent. For each of us, participating in a Holy Lent means something different. For me, participating in a Holy Lent means refocusing some time each day for prayer, meditation, and study. It also means taking some time to focus each week on relationship building and rebuilding.

One common question about Lent is "Shouldn't we be doing these things all the time?" The answer to this is, of course, "Yes, we should." But life happens and intentionality around one's spiritual and emotional health can wane.

Lent is a time of bringing that intentionality back. In this way, Lent offers a chance at spiritual renewal, and it is this renewal that I look forward to the most. So, in the words of our prayerbook, "I invite you to participate in a Holy Lent." It is a time of both penitence and forgiveness, a time of renewal and rebirth.

It is my experience that these things are needed and good.

In Christ,

Mitch+