Soon the forty days of Lent will be drawing to a close. Are you ready for Easter? Are you ready to recognize the risen Christ, not in a familiar story or in a sanctuary decked out in dozens of beautiful white lilies, but in the setting of a world-wide pandemic? I know I am working overtime to be ready, not because I am your pastor, but because I have never in 65 short years seen anything like this.
Category: The Spire
The Spire is the monthly newsletter of the Edwards Church of Northampton church community.
The SPIRE – March 2020
The season of Lent is limited to 40 days over six and one-half weeks (minus the Sundays), but the reason for Lent and our need for Lent are not so limited. The 40 days commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, facing his demons and preparing for his coming ministry. Those 40 days echo the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness, finding their way from captivity in Egypt to a new life in a home promised by God. But the reason for Lent is not a number; it is time set aside to prepare ourselves to allow something to die, so that new life may grow in its place.
The SPIRE – February 2020
At the annual meeting the gathered congregation (including 37 official members, so a sound representation) unanimously approved the REACH Team proposal, which is described in this SPIRE. REACH is short for Revitalizing Engagement, Active Commitment, and Hope. Our goal in pursuing the changes you have now authorized is all in that name. As one member commented shortly after the vote, this is an exciting development and one with a lot of positive potential. Now the challenges of implementation and continuous improvement begin in earnest!