Blog

Opportunities On The Journey

Lent is a holy season of the church year, beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018 and ending on Easter, April 1, 2018. It began in the early church as a time for preparing new converts for baptism on Easter. Today it is seen as a time for all Christians to prepare for Easter through prayer, reflection, silence, repentance, reading, and growing in the grace of God.

The word “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word that means “spring” or “springtime.” Literally the word signifies the time of the year when the days lengthen. Many see these forty days as a time to refresh and renew their relationship with God and each other. It is a time to bring “springtime” into the soul burdened by economic and political crisis, conflicting human relations, and the lack of world peace.

Here at Scarritt Bennett we are offering worship experiences and study opportunities during this season in 2018:

Book Reading
On March 5, 7 PM, Nibs Stroupe will introduce his book Deeper Waters.This book is a manifesto – unashamed of the good news about Christ’s death and resurrection and resolute to resistance to white supremacy, male domination, and redemptive violence. Come and learn more about how to witness to Jesus Christ in our current American context. Free and open to the public

Workshop
Rabbi Rami Shapiro and Rev. Gordon Peerman will lead a workshop on March 24, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM entitled “Holy Rascals.” Content will be advice for spiritual revolutionaries. Register at HERE. Cost is $75

Tuesdays in the Chapel
The Lenten series starts with Anita Peebles speaking on February 13 and continue through Holy Week with the Passion Story in word and music. The following will be bring the message each Tuesday at 12:30-1:00 each Tuesday in Wightman Chapel.
February 20 Alton Hayes Unity Missionary Baptist Church
February 27 Paula Smith Liberty United Methodist Church
March 6 Rosanne Anderson Discipleship Ministries, United Methodist Church
March 13 Adam Kelchner Kingston Springs United Methodist Church
March 20 Joyce Wilding Christ Episcopal Cathedral
March 27 Passion Story

Vespers & All That Jazz
This worship service is every Sunday evening, 6:30-7:15 in Wightman Chapel. It is a worship experience using words and music from a variety of sources in jazz format to encounter the Sacred. The service is shaped by the music and helps us experience the interruptive Spirit of God in ourselves and others. The following are the themes for this Lent:
February 18 Hear the Good News: It’s Coming
February 25 Grace in Our Midst
March 4 Receive God’s Wisdom
March 11 Do Good in the World
March 18 Grow As a Disciple
March 25 Passion Story as told by Mark

May your Lenten journey be bull of courage, hope, and the sense of God’s continued presence. May your soul be renewed and may you be prepared to celebrate once again the resurrection on Easter morn.

Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence

 

Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.