Preparation

Dear Cathedral Family,

It was good to be together, safely past Mardi Gras, to begin keeping a holy Lent on Ash Wednesday. We were all invited by the Church into this season of preparation; historically a time of preparation of new converts for baptism, Lent remains for us a time of preparation for confirmation and reception into the Episcopal Church. As part of this, we will all renew our baptismal promises when our bishop makes his visit on the Third Sunday of Easter.

The Ash Wednesday invitation is a reminder of the Gospel message of forgiveness and of our need for renewing our repentance and faith through self-examination, fasting and self-denial, and time with scripture. (Remember that your “fast” can take many forms, and that social media is a great option!) In this email you will find information about opportunities for reading and study of God’s Word and for deeper experience of prayer and worship. I am especially looking forward to spending time during Lent with our older youth and with those adults who want to learn more about the Episcopal Church.

This Sunday we will begin with the Great Litany, a part of our tradition since the first Book of Common Prayer in 1549. The present Prayer Book reminds us that it is especially appropriate for Lent, as in it we pray with great specificity for ourselves, for all people in their many situations, for our leaders, and for the world. It is so expansive that it will replace the Creed, the confession, and the Prayers of the People!

One final invitation: please remember in your daily prayers the youth and adults who will be preparing for confirmation and reception, and consider that in your Lenten devotions and preparation you are joining them in theirs.

Faithfully,

Beverly+