A Spiritual History of St. Paul's Episcopal Church: 1995-2000

The "end of an era"

The year 2000 marks not only the end of the millennium for the secular world but also the end of an era at St. Paul's Church. This transition has manifested itself in at least two ways. One way we can see it is by recalling the people who have left us in the past year or two. Beginning perhaps with the retirement of Eliane Aponte in late 1999, there is a procession of people who have moved on for one reason or another. Deirdre King moved with her husband to Walla Walla. Evelyn Oliver retired as Treasurer and will have moved to Bellevue near her adult children by the time you read this. The remaining members of the family of former rector Norman Stockwell (1970-1980) have transferred to St. Antony's in Silverdale. In a symbolic sense this is a sign of the orientation of the parish toward the future, and perhaps that this "royal family" has entrusted St. Paul's to God and the leaders he has called to serve him in this place, at this time. And I must mention the resignation of Director of Music Rod Blackburn, who is pursuing his vision of building a new Bremerton through a very successful real estate practice.

Discerning our unique mission: the roots

The last couple of years have seen a new focus in understanding the ministry and mission of St. Paul's in Bremerton. This has been brewing for some time. My first couple of years here were a time of listening and sharing with you some of the contemporary tools for discernment helpful to both individuals and congregations. We studied Episcopal congregations who experienced a revitalization of their ministries because of a specific vision of God's will for them that created a focused identity. We explored (and rejected) the "megachurch" phenomenon with its generic American Christian "culture" and service/program orientation. We spent three years steeped in "Total Ministry," which brought some people into the congregation more deeply, and turned others off. The impact of this is still to be determined.

The meanings of `diversity'

When I was called here in 1995 it was on the "platform" of coping with diversity in this congregation, and the possible conflicts it created. The parish had been through a "purge" in 1994 when essentially the more renewal oriented people left for more hospitable pastures. St. Paul's has been renewal oriented since the ministry of Fr. Stockwell, who was one of the first clergy in the diocese who participated in the Cursillo movement. During Steve Wendfeldt's tenure here (my immediate predecessor), the parish attracted many people whose piety was better described as "charismatic," because of an emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Many of these folks also read the Bible with a more literal way of understanding its meaning. A former senior warden told me way back in 1995 that St. Paul's was the spiritual home of people who read the Bible this way as well as some who read it "mythologically," and every thing in between. This was viewed as a strength.

"Demonstrative" worship

From the beginning of my ministry at St. Paul's we began to lose more of the evangelical and charismatic members (not all charismatic Episcopalians are theologically conservative; I know many who are happily "left of center" in their beliefs). Partly this was because I did not immediately reinstate a Sunday evening "prayer and praise" service. Instead, I wanted to try to integrate more contemporary music and demonstrative worship at the main morning liturgy. This was very difficult as there was not much guidance or support in available liturgical resources to pull this off. Our organist at the time also viewed this music with some contempt.

The Rev. Dick Scott of St. Antony's and I tried to get a monthly Saturday evening renewal style Eucharist going, and the first one brought in about sixty people. But by the third one we were down to 6 or 7.

A love of liturgy

In the meantime, we were attracting parishioners who loved the liturgy of the Episcopal Church. When I didn't chant the sursum corda and preface, people told me how they missed it. With the arrival of Rod Blackburn we found the eclectic musical leadership we needed. We did do music that was beloved in the Cursillo community, but so much more in addition to this. Some wonderful 20th century Christian music for folks in liturgical traditions (and the Cursillo Movement did originate in Roman Catholic Spain in the 1940s) is included in the Gather hymnal, which is used by many Roman Catholic parishes as well as some Lutheran and Episcopalian ones. We bought some copies of Gather and a license to make copies for worship.

Two other major turning points in our journey together help to show how we got to where we are today.

"Out of the closet"

There were about four or five Total Ministry groups meeting weekly for prayer, study and support of ministry, for about three years: '96 - '97, '97 - '98, and '98 - '99. A great deal of spiritual growth happened as one consequence of these groups. The only reason we stopped them is because we didn't know where to go next, nor did our diocesan consultants. No congregation larger than a mission had ever tried Total Ministry before. But we were also moving in a discernible direction in terms of our studies. Specifically, members of the group were reading books (and bringing them to the group to be read together) that explained contemporary, leading edge biblical scholarship to lay people. It was the kind of thing we clergy have been getting in seminary for years, but never talk about with our parishioners for fear of shocking you. But here were spiritually mature Christians eagerly digesting this kind of scholarship. It required me to be more forthcoming about my training in biblical interpretation and theology than I ever dared be in any other parish. And I had to describe my methods - or at least employ them - in many of my sermons and articles. No longer could I keep my theological perspective to myself; my own people "outed" me as a 21st century modernist Anglican Christian.

This was very liberating for me, but it pretty much meant the end of much of the theological diversity of St. Paul's. I find that it is much easier for me to accept my conservative brothers and sisters than it is for them to accept me.

The "social Gospel" and social justice

The second watershed event for us as a parish was actually a cascading chain of seemingly unrelated developments. They can all fall under the category of social justice ministry. At about the same time as the beginning of our Total Ministry period, two members of St. Paul's who have a gay son approached me about having a Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ("PFLAG") meeting at St. Paul's. These two had approached me a year earlier, but I said that I'd prefer to wait as my tenure as rector had barely begun. The second time coincided with some new events in the national church, or the diocese, I don't remember for sure. I learned that St. Paul's had never done any education around sexuality, which a recent General Convention had asked parishes across the country to do. So I used the Episcopal Church's curriculum and brought the question of a PFLAG meeting to the vestry. The vote was almost unanimously in favor of inviting the group in; there was one abstention.

The sexuality debate

The question of the parish's position on the issue of sexual minorities came up at a broader level in the parish when it was announced that a certain fundamentalist church would be renting our space for its services on Sunday afternoons. The pastor of that start up congregation was vociferously anti-homosexual. After it was announced that they would be worshipping at St. Paul's, quite a bit of negative sentiment came up in the parish. A large segment of our congregation did not want a homophobic church meeting in our space. This was so much of a problem that we had our first two "family meetings" after church on a Sunday, one of which was attended by the pastor in question. The group did come in for a couple of years, but eventually left.

Engaged with the world

Since then a pattern has developed in our relationship with our surrounding community. We support ministries that serve marginalized, disenfranchised people. We now understand these social justice ministries as an integral part of our identity. We are praised and supported by leaders and people in the community and throughout the diocese, but we have lost quite a few members as a result of our support of sexual minorities, the poor, and the young.

How we have grown

I share this retrospective with you because some of you have not been with us long enough to know why we are who we are, and how we believe God has been leading us through what at times feels like a "wilderness." In 2000 I also observed my fifth anniversary as rector of this parish. To pause and see where we have come in this first phase of our shared ministry seems appropriate to me. This church is not what it was at the beginning of 1994, nor in the middle of 1995. I am not the same person as I was then, either. But the parish has a much clearer vision of who it is, just as I have a clearer idea of who I am (and am not). Whenever you take a stand, or when you say clearly whom you are and what your convictions are, you don't leave much room for doubt or ambiguity, which is a much safer place to be! Somebody is going to decide that you are not for them. They will move on. In time, however, if we are faithful and stay the course, there are those around us who need the kind of Christian community we are. But it will take time because we will have to earn the trust of those who only know Christianity in its more popular judgmental varieties.

Who are we?

So who are we? What do we bring to Kitsap County that it didn't have before? We are Christians, but not the kind that we hear so much about; we are forward looking, outward looking, and tolerant to the point where some would call us "liberal." But I think of us as just Christians who take the social implications of the Gospel seriously. We are a "church without walls."

Faithfully,

Randy Lord-Wilkinson, Rector

Senior Warden's Notes

Sitting in the library during our first meeting I saw in the faces assembled there the same things you saw; good people, strong in their faith and commitment to St. Paul's Church, people eager to be about the business of our faith family. Like you, I felt a deep spirit of confidence for what's ahead both for this newly formed body and for the Church family we all care so deeply about.

It would be easy to use this space to wax poetic about our future, or reminisce about our rich history or try to reach for the stars in an inspiring (hopefully!) collection of thoughts put into words. Truth is I'd like to do all of those things, but I'd like to do them with you, in person. I'd like to hear your visions of St. Paul's future and your remembrances of our history, but most of all, I pray when you share your inspiration and your steadfast trust and belief in the ministries of St. Paul's or your concerns for all of the above with me, those visions, traditions and concern's will all become the "lamp(s) unto my feet" as I find my way in the uncharted (for me) territory of vestry.

Over the next weeks and months, I'll count on hearing from you; as a matter of fact I'll seek you out! Each voice is vital to the whole. We've been most fruitful as a community when we've been united by purpose and vision. Given our varied passions and the spectrum of our interests and abilities, we'll never be in lock step with one other. We shouldn't hope to be, but, rather we can revel in the knowledge that it is our very differences, brought together as the pieces of a puzzle, which make us so strong. I believe our collective strength and our sense of unity in ministry and mission will continue to increase as we continue to live out our vision statement, both in our church family and in the greater family of our community and world. I've seen us:

I don't believe there could be a more exciting time to stand up, link elbows with one another and move confidently together into our future.

As Joan Rivers would say "Can we talk?"

Myra Battin

Food Drive

St. Paul's will be collecting non-perishable food items each week. There is a collection bin just inside the nave where the food items can be placed. Each month they will be delivered to the local food bank. We are very accustomed to donating food during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but the fact is there are many people in our area who need our help all year long.

This is a great way to get the whole family involved in a project that will greatly benefit our community and make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate than us. So, make it a habit to grab a can of beans, bag of rice or flour, or any other non-perishable food item and bring it to church with you every Sunday. For more information contact Alexandria Nichandros or Lisa Kidd .

Church Quiz

1. When does the Season of Lent begin this year?

A. March 1st
B. March 5th
C. March 10th

A. White
B. Red
C. Purple

A. Palm Sunday
B. Good Friday
C. Maundy Thursday

A. Rose
B. Red
C. White

A. There are worship services that Sunday
B. The presence of the Reserved Sacraments of bread and wine
C. It signifies that Jesus is the light of the world

A. The seven days before Ash Wednesday
B. The seven days before Palm Sunday
C. The Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday, September 14 and December 13

What Episcopalians Believe . . .

Episcopalians occasionally believe in miracles and sometimes even expect them, particularly during stewardship canvasses or when electing bishops or vicars -- and especially when recruiting church school teachers.

Episcopalians believe in ecumenical dialogue because they are certain that after all is said and done, everyone else is bound to become Episcopalian.

Episcopalians strongly believe in Scripture, tradition and reason. While they aren't sure what they believe about these three things, there is almost universal agreement that that is hardly the point.

Episcopalians believe that everything in their life and faith is improved by the presence of good food and drink -- not including lime-carrot Jell-O, tropical punch Kool-Aid or canned tuna fish in any form.

Episcopalians believe that anything worth doing is especially worth doing if it has an obscure title attached to it (e.g., sexton, thurifer, suffragan, canon, dean, etc.). Likewise, Episcopalians believe that any place worth visiting is greatly enhanced by a name that only obliquely describes it (e.g., nave, narthex, sacristy, undercroft, church school supply room, etc.)

Episcopalians firmly believe that coffee hour is the eighth sacrament, but only if the coffee is caffeinated.

Episcopalians believe that anthems are most efficacious if sung in Latin or German, especially during Lent.

Episcopalians generally believe that they are the only people God trusts enough to take the summers off from Church.

Some Episcopalians believe Rite I is the best expression of the liturgy. Some believe Rite II is better. Most Episcopalians haven't noticed the difference; they just hope the whole thing gets over before noon.

Ed Gasparini

Odd & Ends

Many thanks to members of the Youth Group for planning and leading the 10:15 am service on February 16th. It was a great day of worship and music lead by the talented youth of St. Paul's. The worship service was one of the events comprising their "scavenger hunt, ice skating and lock-in weekend." Over 25 youth members and friends participated in the weekend events. In order to participate in the President's weekend's activities, it was required for youth group members to serve meals at the Lord's Neighborhood Diner. Approximately 11 youth served meals on Sunday, February 9th.

If you are interested in more information about the Youth group, contact Rusty Holland, Alexandria Nichandros, Randy, or a member of the Youth Group.

"Christian Teachings on War and Peace"

Over 20 folks joined in a "two-Sunday" discussion in mid-February led by Randy that summarized the major Christian teachings on war and peace. Topics included Christian Pacifism and the "Just War" doctrine. The class also provided folks an opportunity to reflect on recent and current "wars and rumors of war."

Several members of our parish are currently assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Camden that are steaming towards the Middle East as well as the USS Carl Vinson that is heading towards North Korea. Please keep these individuals and their families in your prayers, as well as world leaders as they try to figure out what to do.

Smoke Alert

We will be using incense at the 10:15 am service on Palm Sunday, April 13th and then at 7:00 pm on the Great Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 19th. We use a very fine grade of incense that doesn't seem to offend many people. The incense will only be used for the processions and at the beginning of the Eucharist. The rest of the time during the service the incense will be removed from the nave so as not to be offensive to some.

We only use incense a few times each year at special services in keeping with the rich traditions of our Church.

Pray for one another..

Do you want to include someone in St. Paul's Prayer Chain? Contact Carol Angel for more details. If you want to add someone to the Parish Cycle of Prayer contact the church office at 377-0106.

Editorial

I'm opposed to war. During the buildup to the 1991 Persian Gulf War, I wrote newspaper editorials arguing against the use of force. Instead, I supported the use of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, as did so many war opponents around the world. What we have learned since then is the economic sanctions contributed to the death of more than one million innocent Iraqi citizens.

That's why the impending Iraqi war - which is really just a continuation of what erupted in the Persian Gulf 12 years ago - is so frustrating and confounding. I don't support going to war for the reasons the Bush administration gives. But neither can I fall in line behind the platitudes of the anti-war crowd.

"No war with Iraq!" they shout. What are they talking about? The 1991 war never ended; we just stuck it in a closet to get it out of our living rooms. Because of the U.N. sanctions, Iraqi people have been dying at the rate of 7,000 each month for 12 straight years.* More than half of those who die are children who can't get proper food or medicine.

That's war. And the anti-war protesters, like the leaders of France and Germany, the U.S. Democratic Party and the British Labor Party, in calling for more containment of Iraq, want this silent war on innocent civilians to continue. I have heard no one who is a spokesman for the anti-war side urge the dropping of sanctions. Instead, they acknowledge that Saddam Hussein is a bad man who must be dealt with, just not with war. Give containment more time, they say.

But U.N. sanctions against Iraq already have killed more people than the estimated 124,000 soldiers and civilians who died in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, more than the 951,727 who died in the Korean War, more than the 700,000 who died in the U.S. Civil War, more than the estimated 100,000 peasants who died in the American bombing of Cambodia.

The difference is that those deaths came during a time of acknowledged war, declared or otherwise. The deaths from Iraqi sanctions come during what's considered "peace."

Richard Horn

(*Estimates from U.N. relief agencies and Doctors Without Borders)

Father, give us the strength and the wisdom to end the suffering in Iraq. Help us put faces on the terrible statistics of loss from armed fighting and from economic attack. Help us to realize the human costs of battle and the absence of battle. And help us to answer the question of why the loss of one million Iraqis from starvation and illness means so little to us. Help us to somehow end this war. Amen.

Kairos

Kairos is "God's Special Time" for inmates serving time in our prisons. Basically, it is a three day short course on Christianity.It is a time when the inmates learn about the love that God has for them.It is an interdenominational ministry of people who have been involved in "renewal movements" (you may have heard about Cursilloor Walk to Emmaus.) The primary objective of the weekend is to establish strong Christian communities among the populations of correctional institutions.

Every resident in the institution receives a dozen cookies each day of the three-day Kairos weekend. FYI: There are now over 900 residents at Washington Correctional Center for Women at Purdy.If you do the math that means at this facility alone we must have 2,700 dozen cookies!If this doesn't boggle your mind . . . each year over 36,000 dozen cookies are needed for the six Kairos weekends held in the three Western Washington prisons! HENRY AND I NEED YOUR HELP!Each member of a Kairos team is asked to supply 100 dozen cookies.That means that Henry and I have to bring 200 dozen cookies to the next Kairos weekend being held at Purdy on March 13th - 16th. It sounds like a lot to expect, but if we receive support from our church and workplace it is possible!Last fall, because of the great support I got from everyone, I exceeded the 100 dozen! So, St. Paul's family . . . get out your cookie sheets and cookie fixin's and bake, bake, bake!

Deacon Cece

Music

Thanks to all of you the Valentine Gala Evening Buffet and Show on Friday, February 14th was a great success! It was important to celebrate the success of so many talented friends and members of our St. Paul's family and thank God for them! I would especially like to acknowledge Sue Ahrens - concert night ticket sales coordinator, John Battin - vocal soloist, Justin Davis - classical guitarist, Larry and Caro Dugan - beverage consultants and providers, Gayla Elverson - flute and piano soloist, Bruce Hecke - piano tuner, Rusty Holland - hors d'oeuvre coordinator and preparation specialist, Cindy Holland - concert coordinator and violinist, Ann Horn - ticket coordinator and preparation specialist, Kathryn Houchen - vocal soloist and consultant, Harold and Deirdre King - concert donors, Randy Lord-Wilkinson - sound specialist, Samara Matson - piano duet performer, Henry Morris - lighting expert, Kaly Olsen - vocal soloist, Aaron Parecki - piano duet performer, Terrie Remick - hors d'oeuvre coordinator and preparation specialist, Blair Schuetz - Oliver Room decorations designer and coordinator, Sandy Stutey - concert introduction specialist, JoAnn Winesdorfer - publicity and communication coordinator, The St. Paul's Youth Group - hors d'oeuvre waiters and waitresses, and The Childcare Team - concert night childcare providers, Megan and Tabatha.

The sterling service was beautiful (thanks for putting them on loan to St. Paul's for the event), the feast creative and delicious, and the music fed our souls. God loves us in so many ways, and the friends we have at St. Paul's help equip us to share God's love and spiritual work in a world where relationships don't always last. The most important part of the evening was your being there; I'm so glad you were! Thanks so much!

Cindy Holland

St. Paul's Music Director



Inspiring Hymns

Last month we explored the history of the all-time hymn favorite Amazing Grace. This month I'm including the history of another song of devotion.

The author of this hymn, Elizabeth Pyson Prentiss, was born in Portland, Maine, on October 26, 1818. At an early age, Elizabeth demonstrated a gift for writing both prose and poetry, and in 1834, at the age of sixteen, she became a regular contributor to the popular literary magazine, Youth's Companion.

After completing her formal education, Elizabeth took jobs teaching in both Massachusetts and Virginia. It was during this time in her life that she met and married Dr. George L. Prentiss, a Presbyterian minister. Elizabeth, although not a minister by profession, certainly carried on a great ministry of her own through her writings on Christian themes. One of her books, Stepping Heavenward, reached sales of over 200,000 copies, earning it the reputation of a best seller.

Although Elizabeth suffered from chronically poor health, she did safely deliver three children and considered her life at home complete and fulfilling. In 1856, however, a devastating epidemic swept New York, claiming the lives of two of her beloved children. Elizabeth was grief-stricken by the tragic loss and wrote the following poem:

It was also during this time of deep grieving that Elizabeth found solace in the comforting hymn by Sarah Adams, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." Using an almost identical meter, she penned the verses to her well-loved hymn, "More Love to Thee." She did not intend for it to be more then a communication between herself and her Savior. She did not even show the text to her husband until thirteen years later, when he was serving as a professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Dr. Prentiss liked the hymn and encouraged his wife to publish it. That year, 1869, it was printed for the first time in a religious leaflet. The following year, "More Love to Thee" was published with music in a collection titled Songs of Devotion, published by W. H. Doane. It quickly gained in popularity and became a favorite hymn of dedication, used widely by preachers and teachers during the religious revival of 1870.

The philosophy expressed in the hymn's verses faithfully reflects that of its author. For despite her pain and discouragement, both physical and emotional, Elizabeth Prentiss found she could still experience great joy in expressing her love to God. Among her writings is the following reflection: "To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul . . . out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!"

Around the Diocese . . .

Members of St. Barnabas on Bainbridge Island dedicated January 2003 to Earth Ministry as an attempt to "celebrate environmental awareness, ecological theology and care for God's creation." The parish will be joining other churches on the island to work with local environmental gardening experts to identify practical ways to care for the soil, plants and watersheds. There will be a variety of events and workshops offered throughout the year.

Spring HYC

Good Shepherd, Vancouver will be hosting the Spring High School Youth Conference (HYC) on March 28th - 30th. The weekend is open for youth grades 9 - 12 and will include contemporary music, worship, workshops, and a dance. For a registration form contact the church office.

Anniversary Events

During 2003, the Diocese of Olympia is celebrating 150 years of the Episcopal Church in Western Washington. Upcoming events include: Cathedral Day on May 17th at St. Mark's in Seattle; a Family Picnic on July 12th at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma; a Musical Celebration on September 6th at Benaroya Hall in Seattle; and Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold is slated to attend the anniversary closing ceremonies that will be held during the Annual Fall Diocesan Convention on November 7th and 8th at the Hilton Hotel in SeaTac.

St. Paul's is participating in the diocesan-wide Quilt Project. The theme for the quilt is ``the coming together" of all the diocesan congregations. Myra Battin and Caro Dugan designed and created a square that represents our church community.

(Sources: The Episcopal Voice, Feb. 2003; The Mustard Seed, Faith Episcopal Church, Kingston, WA., Feb. 2003; St. Bede's Newsletter, Feb. 2003)

Worship & Arts

The Liturgy and Arts Committee met February 2nd. The agenda included a discussion of the Christmas season liturgies and suggestions to be addressed during the fall planning meeting. The choir made several suggestions about the appearance of the nave and their interest in pursuing some changes. The committee approved a recommendation to ask vestry approval to remove the cloth coverings of the organ pipes and to do a restoration of the Stations of the Cross, subject to a review of costs and timeline. The music at communion time was reviewed and it was agreed to return to the use of a "singable" hymn for the congregation and choir to sing together.

A suggestion had been made that St. Paul's host a Taize service on a regular basis. This is a prayer service, usually in the evening, based on the chants and music of the community of Taize, France. While it was not approved as a separate service, the music director indicated she will use more Taize music on Sundays.

Plans for the Youth Sunday service on February 16th were reviewed. The Committee also talked about Lent and Holy Week 2003. There were some suggestions for changing times or adding features, but the committee agreed that we should continue the pieces we used last year, i.e. the Vigil at 7:00 pm, with a family focus, foot washing at the Maundy Thursday service, the Garden of Repose and overnight vigil (thanks to the Dugans for heading this effort), and the Labyrinth on Good Friday. Holden Evening Prayer will occur on Thursdays at 6:30 pm with a study group to follow, led by Father Randy.

The Committee also authorized the formation of a subcommittee to take a long-term look at the appearance of the Nave and Narthex. This group will be working in the coming year to put a long range plan and preliminary budgets together to enhance the liturgical space, working with the choir on the organ pipe cases, the use of banners and hangings for special occasions and year round, a possible eventual replacement for the Stations of the Cross, a public display of the vision statement, possible use of Celtic images or other art in various places, and other projects that may be identified.

The next meeting will be Sunday, May 4th at 12:00 noon.

Sandy Stutey
Chair

Lent at St. Paul's

Shrove Tuesday's Annual Pancake Supper will be held in our Parish Hall on March 4th, starting at 6:00 pm. The practice (and the name) came from the old English way of talking about preparing for the commencement of the Lenten fast on Ash Wednesday by being shriven (relieved or stripped) of one's sins. Part of the physical preparation involved emptying the pantry of perishable food items, such as eggs, meat and sweets, that wouldn't last until the following Sunday (when the Lenten fast is relaxed) in the era before refrigeration! So, come partake of a traditional Shrove Tuesday meal of pancakes, bacon and sausage, blueberry and plain pancakes, and, of course, real eggs. A jazz group will be adding wonderful music to the festivities. When you're done, you'll not only be ready to fast for a few weeks, but you will have something worth confessing on Ash Wednesday! If you want to know even more about this feast before the fast, talk to one or both of the event coordinators, Cindy Holland and Tom Remick.

Ash Wednesday: We will observe the fast with two Eucharists on March 5h, one at 12:00 noon (Rite I) and one at 7:00 pm. (Rite II). The imposition of ashes (made by burning last year's Palm Sunday palms the night before) will be offered for those who desire it. If you're new to the Episcopal Church and have not come from a liturgical tradition of worship, you might be interested to know that fasting is not the same thing as abstinence (or that abstinence from food doesn't preclude taking water). It is still an aid to prayer to forgo solid food, or at least meat, for the day (Roman Catholics used to consider every Friday a fast day, and simply abstained from meat). Simplicity is the thing to aim for, and identification with the time Jesus (like Moses and Elijah before him) spent in the desert.

Lenten Worship: On the Thursdays of Lent beginning with March 13th (but excluding Maundy Thursday in Holy Week), Holden Evening Prayer will be sung in the Nave from 6:30-7:00 pm.

The Gospel of John: Beginning Thursday, March 6, Randy will lead an expedition into an exploration ofFourth Gospel.The group will meet from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Oxford Room of Canterbury Manor.

"Turn Your Radio On: Ways to Get in Tune with God," is the working title of the Lenten class Randy will be teaching on the Thursday nights of Lent from 7:00 - 8:00 in the Oliver Room beginning on March 13th. Randy will be using a variety of resources to help you discover the best way or ways for you to deepen your conscious awareness of God in your daily life. So you won't need to buy a book for this class, but he will be recommending a number of them. Child care will be provided with advance notice.

An Hour of Yoga: Back by popular demand (seriously), Randy will lead interested people in a gentle yoga class on the Saturday mornings of Lent from 8:30 until about 9:15, in the Oliver Room.