For a while now I've been thinking about, talking about, planning about an electronic newsletter that would be sent out every week to members and friends of Emmanuel. This is the inaugural edition of what is basically an electronic version of the Community News found in the Weekly Bell, handed out on Sunday mornings by our ushers. In addition to news, the electronic Bell will have a link to a weekly column I plan to write and post to this blog and to the Emmanuel website. It is called "Thursday Thoughts" and you are reading it now.
My hope is that this weekly column and the email that carries it out to parishioners will become a point of community building and conversation for all us. We shall see.
These days leading up to Easter are important ones for Christians. The journey toward Resurrection and New Life must include the experience of death. Consider leaving in Lent those parts of you which are injuring your body, spirit or relationship with others.
And then, please come to as many of the liturgies of Holy Week as you are able to make, then consider adding 1 more! Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and The Great Vigil (this year at 9pm on Saturday) are our most powerful liturgies, with many of the prayer forms going back to the earliest years of the church. Additional information about our schedule.
Blessings on you and those you love during this season of reflection, prayer, fasting and deepening connections to God. Peace, Hunt+