FEBRUARY  2012

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

February is rich with Biblical story, liturgy and Church activity. During the first three Sunday's we will hear of Jesus' healing miracles...the removal of the fever of Simon's mother... the cleansing of a man with leprosy.... the bedazzling Transfiguration of Jesus.

Just as the people were drawn to Jesus' healings and the disciples were awe struck by his transfiguration, I hope that we will be drawn into these rich stories and be reminded that we too are changed in our encounters with God.

At the end of February, we will begin our 40- day Lenten journey. It will officially begin with an Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 28the at 7pm. The day before we'll pull out all the stops with a Fat Tuesday All Church Waffle Dinner at 5:30 pm. It will be our last big feast before we start our Lenten observance.

 Historically, the Lenten observance is a season of preparation.. of atonement...for the forthcoming death and resurrection of Christ. It has included fasting, although the degree and duration of this practice varies widely among Christians.

Protestants traditionally have not been known to fast, but as many people have grown in faith, "giving up" something for Lent has become more common. 

Atonement however, is not simply about giving something up. It means at-one-ment and in the words of Desmond Tutu, atonement is undoing the isolation that we experience in our relationships with God and others. It's about making the separate pieces 'one'. Atonement is a time of choosing to turn away from self-reliance to trusting in God.

So let's prepare for Lent by meing mindful of Jesus' healings, His blazing Transfiguration, seeing the abundance in our lives and trusting in God.  And rather than give up something for Lent this year, I recommend we take on a spiritual practice instead. Let's set aside some quiet time each day, time away from all the distractions in our lives, so that we can commune with the Holy.

Let us walk together, walk hand in hand, for forty days with hope, dedication and love.

Pastor Susan

Please SAVE THESE DATES to participate in this very important work:

            February 26:       Discover/Discern Our Values

            March 25:             Feedback

            April 29:                Dreaming

            May/June:            Design

            Late June/early July: (Finish profile using information gathered from                                                the Interim work process; begin Pastoral Search)

The meetings will take place after worship and run for approximately two hours (coffee and food will be provided).

God is indeed with us.  Let’s all take time in this season of Epiphany to notice, acknowledge, and give thanks for the revelation of God's glittering gifts in our lives and in this Church.  This interim period in the life of Plainview is no ordinary time . . . it's extraordinary time . . . a time that is full of God's Kira-Kira!

Blessings to you and your family,

Pastor Susan