L E N T at CTK

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday Liturgies | March 5 | 7:30 a.m. & 12 p.m.
Our Ash Wednesday liturgy draws from the Book of Common Prayer, and includes time for quiet reflection, confession and reconciliation, and the imposition of ashes. This day serves as a portal into the sacred season of Lent, a time of contemplation, recalibration, and restoration. Ash Wednesday creates a safe communal space for us to acknowledge and sit with difficult emotions - grief, regret, despair - and to reconnect with the mercy and compassion of our loving God.

If you would like to come receive ashes and a quick blessing on Wednesday, you can swing by the church and Rev. Marcella will bring you “ashes to go.” Just give her a quick heads up rector@ctkstoneridge.org

THE SEASON OF LENT

Out of the Depths: Lenten Yoga & Lectio Divina
An 8-week series of in-person contemplative yoga and lectio divina classes, led by Elizabeth Gross. This class series is for you if you want to turn your focus to Lent in a deeper way through contemplative practice. Learn more here.
Weekly from Saturday, March 1st through Wednesday, April 16th

Catechesis Crash Course
A 3-part Zoom series for church newbies or those in need of a refresher on the basics of the Anglican faith: scripture, tradition, and reason.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. - April 1, 8, and 15

Lenten Messiah
Hudson Baroque is offering a performance of Handel’s Messiah during Lent at CTK. Learn more about this incredible event and RSVP here. 
Community Sing-Along, March 15, 7:00 p.m.
Handel’s Messiah, March 16, 4:00 p.m.

Healing Prayer on Sundays
Healing prayer & anointing with Holy Oil will be provided by clergy after communion during both Sunday morning services.
March 9 & 30

Youth Bible Exploration: The Gospels
A conversational formation series geared towards older elementary and middle school aged kids and their parents. This spring we’re working with the formation of the Christian scriptures, especially focusing on the Gospels and the different stories and portrayals of Jesus. 
Fridays at 5 p.m. - March 7, 21, and April 4

Reconciliation
Throughout Lent, Rev. Marcella will be offering this sacramental rite, which is the Episcopal version of penance, or confession. It is a private, confidential, and judgment-free space for sharing, forgiveness, and absolution. If you’re feeling emotionally or spiritually stuck or weighed down, this is a wonderful way to practice the sacred and necessary work of repentance, or “turning around.” Email Rev. Marcella.

Figuring out how to keep a holy Lent can be a challenge, but if we move beyond the popular conceptions (and misconceptions), Lent holds the possibility for real change — or to use the church’s word, conversion — in our lives, as well as for rich and lasting spiritual growth.

Lent emerged in our history as a season of final preparation for those who would be baptized at the Great Vigil of Easter. The entire Christian community was highly invested in walking alongside those who were about to commit their lives to Christ. In time, the season took on some extra layers of meaning, and many people now associate it with listening for a deeper awareness of our own sin — how we fall short of the ideals God sets before us — and the need for ongoing repentance and amendment of life.

That said, joy in the new life we have found in the Christian faith should never be overwhelmed by our struggles to live out that faith or our awareness of the ways we fall short. We can see Lent as an opportunity to deepen our spiritual lives. In Lent we step back and consider the ways we need to repent, to turn around — to be converted.

During Lent we as individual Christians and as a church — the Body of Christ — consider our spiritual health. How are we living the gospel in our lives, our homes, our churches, our towns, our schools, our places of work? What areas of growth or signs of renewal should we celebrate with gratitude and joy? In what ways have we fallen short, grown stagnant or coldhearted, or failed to love God by embracing new life when we encounter it?