Resources for a holy Lent in 2021

Episcopal Church resources for Lent:  Find links to a variety of online Episcopal Church devotional series and meditations, as well as preaching and teaching resources, at www.episcopalchurch.org/lenten-resources.

In the something-for-everyone spirit, there's also "Lent Madness" which annually offers members of the voting public a light-hearted way to learn more about the saints during Lent.  Vote online daily for favorites from among a selection 32 saints who are paired off in a tournament-style bracket.  The last saint standing at the end of Lent wins the game's golden halo.  Find it all at www.lentmadness.org.  

“Repentance 2021—Turning back to God here and now”: The invitation of Lent to repent and return to the Lord is the same every year, but we come to this invitation this year in the wake of the overlapping pandemics of COVID-19, racism, climate change and disinformation. How shall we answer the ancient invitation faithfully in this particular season of our common life?

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston invites everyone to take part in its annual Lenten Preaching Series, via Zoom, on Thursdays at noon throughout Lent. This year’s series lifts up voices of leaders who are fairly new to the greater Boston area or who have come to see the area anew. The sermons will be offered within the context of a brief service of noonday prayer. Conversation with the preacher and other attendees follows, with an end time of 1:15 p.m. Register here to receive a Zoom link.

The schedule of preachers for the series is:

• Feb. 18: The Rev. Morgan S. Allen, Rector, Trinity Church, Boston
• Feb. 25: The Rev. Gregory G. Perez, Priest-in-Charge, St. Stephen’s Memorial Church, Lynn
• March 4: Omalara Fatiregun, Cheng Fellow and doctoral student, Harvard Graduate School of Education
• March 11: James Rutenbeck, Filmmaker, Lost Nation Pictures
• March 18: The Rev. Kate Bast, Rector, Trinity Parish, Melrose
• March 25: Dr. Sujin Pak, Dean, Boston University School of Theology
   

"Lent and the Longing for God" Online Retreat, March 6, 9:30 a.m.-noon:  What do you long for most? What is most precious to you? What do you want more than anything else?  These may sound like strange questions to ask during Lent, a season usually associated with self-denial, not desire.  But Lent calls us back to our deepest longing, our desire for closer union with the Love that created us and that longs to be set free among us. 

This Saturday, March 6 morning retreat, conducted online and led by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, will invite participants to explore their own desires, as well as the desires of the One “to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid.” The retreat time will include presentations and guided meditation, with options for solitary reflection or for small group conversation.

This online retreat is co-sponsored by the Episcopal dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts, and open to the people of both.  Find more details and register online here.
 

"Love and Lamentation for Creation": 
The Rev. Lise Hildebrandt, a priest of the diocese and a convener of the Creation Care Justice Network, is inviting the diocesan community to join her this Lent in practicing both lament and love for God’s creation.

Her series offers two ways to love and lament creation together with others:  At six weekly outdoor gatherings (with COVID-19 precautions) in the Arlington area, on Sundays at 3 p.m., beginning on Feb. 21; or by using materials that she’s created for households or small groups to use outdoors on their own.  The materials are available upon request, and can be adapted for use by people of different ages.

Each week of the series focuses on a particular element of creation (air, water, earth, animals, trees), and, along with Scripture reflection, litany and prayers, includes time to move around and practice paying attention.

Click on the accompanying flier for more details.  For specific location information, to sign up for in-person gatherings or to request the resource materials, click here. Questions may be directed to the Rev. Lise Hildebrandt at lisehild@gmail.com.

Homepage slide photo:  istock.com/Charissame