ChristChurchLent2012

Walking Through Lent in CommunityLenten Devotional Project ~ 2012 Christ Episcopal Church Rockville, Maryland

You did great last year!The 2011 pilot projecthelped Christ Churchbreak new ground.You enriched yourneighbors’ journeythrough Lent.Your participation wasa gift that made Lentmemorable andpersonal.

Fr. John’s Perspective“The season of Lent is atime for fruitful explorationof ourselves, and ourrelationships with God aswe continue on our lifejourneys.”“It can be like findingoneself in a dark wood,as did the poet Dante atthe beginning of hisDivine Comedy, or it canalso be a time formarvelous illumination.”

Fr. John – continued“Lent” comes from an oldAnglo-Saxon word meaning“spring.” This exercise can bea spiritual springtime for us.The people of Christ Churchtake faith as a seriousadventure.Like many Episcopalians, weare often reticent to share witheach other what matters to us.When we reveal something ofour spiritual selves to oneanother, we reap a wonderfulspring harvest that God willpersonally delight in—and wegrow stronger as members ofGod’s family in this place.

Lenten Devotion Booklet 2012 “Do you know what I have done to you?” - John 13:12 Source of Rembrandt’s ‘Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples’: http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rmbrndt_selected_drawings/foot_washing.htm

Please participate!We want to hear from you — sharing theindividual’s faith into our communityWe need to hear from you — 40 days ofLent,40 devotionalsDevelop our spiritual writing techniques —personal benefits

Changes for 2012Last year: Free-form reflectionsThis year: Scripture readings Three choices for each day of Lent Still drawing on your own perspective & journey of faith

Choose a Day.Select a particular day in Lent from the“puzzle” poster.Print your name in the space behind yourchosen puzzle piece.Take the piece with you, but plan to re-attach it to the poster after you send inyour essay.

Choose a Bible citation.After you choose a day of Lent……and you’ve taken your puzzle piece withyou…decide which of the three readings fromthat day you want to write about.Choose only one.

Relax.In the words of a DC-area preacher whoadvertises on the radio: “Not a sermon… just a thought.”

It’s not an exam.Opportunity to share your spiritual self inthe context of a particular Lenten scriptureThink of it as a letter to a friend“Here’s what I make of this scripturereading specifically…and Lent in general"

Open yourself up.Pray, meditate, do yoga.Go for a walk.Whatever works best for you.Free your mind from pressing concerns,distractions, to-do lists and otherpreoccupations.

Let ideas flow freely.Carve out some space in your spirit.Let thoughts, notions, impressions,memories, feelings and random musingsenter.They’ll come and go — thats OK.Jot down everything.

Nourish your spirit.Get your mind thinking, your heart flexingand your soul searching on a deeper levelby: Reading other Lenten reflections Reading Psalms, poetry, Forward Day-by-Day devotionals, or the Gospel according to John Listening to music, audiobooks, or inspirational CDs/tapes

Separate the wheat from the chaff.Review the notes youve made during yourreflecting and reading.Circle what ideas that appeal to you.Some will show promise. Others wont.Go with whatever resonates for you.

Now, to the writing.Develop ideas into actual sentences, or the linesof a poem, or the lyrics of a song.Write with a particular reader or listener in mind.This is a personal message from you.Pose questions. Challenge conventionalwisdom. Whatever. But strive for clarity.Let the reader walk with you on your journeythrough Lent.

Edit. Then edit some more.Check spelling, grammar, point of view, length.Keep it to about 200 words.Put it away — then read it again.Change, massage, polish — snip words andsentences.Consider sharing with someone for feedback.Ready for prime time?

Who are you?Submissions must have name & contactinformation to be included in the booklet.But…if you want your submission to bepublished anonymously, let us know.Please include the following with yourLenten devotional: First & last name E-mail address Phone numbers (preferably work & home)

Deadline: January 13thE-mail as a Word document tolent2012@comcast.net. …OR…Slip it into the special collection box in thenarthex of the church.

All submissions reviewed.Each submission reviewed & approved by theAdult Formation Committee before publication.An editor from the committee will contact you todiscuss any issues or questions.Edits might be suggested — but no changes willbe made to your piece without first consultingwith you.If we get more than 40 the committee will haveto choose which ones go into the booklet.

Thanks again forparticipating!

ChristChurchLent2012

by Mark Wright Communications LLC on Jan 08, 2012

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