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A NOTE FROM DAVID

 Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

 During the season of Lent, we find ourselves on a spiritual journey. This journey is one that is marked by spiritual discipline and the need to find reliance on sustenance that cannot come from any physical part of the world. Indeed, only Christ can provide the most basic needs. The season of Lent culminates in the source of our eternal hope—that nothing, no powers or municipalities, not even death—can separate us from the love of God.

 During one of our recent Sunday School classes, there was a rich discussion about what it means to suffer and the role of suffering in the development of our faith. The discussion was wide ranging, and as you might expect, no conclusive answers were established. One thing is true: Because it is God who justifies us through Christ, our spirits can be assured of the coming resurrection.

 Lent is one of those seasons in our liturgical calendar that is steeped in deep tradition. Perhaps like me, you were taught that Lent is the season of giving something up. This indeed does help us rely on our spirits,      especially when what we give up is pleasurable. However, the past few years have been a time of immense “giving up.” Our society has become so polarized that it is challenging to be in conversation with those who think differently than us. In a way, we have given up our relational core in exchange for comfort of thought. This Lent, I encourage you to think of finding reliance on God in a positive sense, rather than the typical  negative. Negative being that we remove something desirable. Positive being we engage in something that challenges us.

 In a world where it is all too easy to find division and polarization, the church is being called to restore unity of spirit rather than unanimity of thought. This is our countercultural moment to reclaim the core tenets of the gospel message: What is broken, through Christ, is made whole. I don’t know about you, but I think this is a much needed reality in our world. God is asking us to join in partaking in this new creation…are you in?

 With God’s grace, mercy, and love,

 David