Lent traditionally is a time “in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism” (BCP 265: An Invitation to a Holy Lent). The Prayer Book commends this season as a time for “self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” In keeping with this tradition and recommendation, here are a few Lenten study opportunities for young and old alike.
For Children
Our Sunday School program will be using a seasonal curriculum for Lent from StoryMakers. We used their curriculum for Advent and Christmas (including the Pageant) and it was well received. The classes take place during the Service of the Word portion of the Sunday Holy Eucharist service at 10am. Here are the themes for the Sundays in Lent:
2/22 Lent One The Desert
3/1 Lent Two Kingdom
3/8 Lent Three Samaritan
3/15 Lent Four Miracle
3/22 Lent Five True Life
3/29 Palm Sunday The Donkey
Each attending child will receive their own “zine” to take home, so they show their parents what they are learning. We will continue Storymakers in Easter season, working on putting together a play about what happened after Easter…
For Youth: Confirmation Class
Sundays in Lent 9—9:45 (between services)
This year we are offering a Confirmation class in Lent, leading to a Confirmation service on May 3 when Bishop Alan Shin will be visiting Grace Church. See the announcement below for dates. We will be using the Outline of the Faith (commonly called the Catechism) of the Book of Common Prayer for our text. There is also an opportunity to spend a Friday night at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in their Nightwatch Program. Tutorial dates are available if there are conflicts on a particular Sunday. Confirmands will also be trained as acolytes and participate in the 10:00 service at Grace. Contact Fr Matt if you or your teenage children are interested.
For Any Age: Being Disciples, Sundays in Lent, 11:15—noon
Using as a springboard for discussion: a set of talks given by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, published under the title Being Disciples, this class is open to all and can be joined any Sunday, but participation is required for those seeking to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. A light lunch will be included. Contact Fr. Matt if you are interested in confirmation or reception.
2/22 Lent One Being Disciples
3/1 Lent Two Faith, Hope and Love
3/8 Lent Three Forgiveness
3/15 Lent Four Holiness
3/22 Lent Five Faith in Society
3/29 Palm Sunday Life in the Spirit
For Going Deeper: Inner Peace in Darkness and Light
Wednesday evenings in Lent
You are invited to participate in a self-guided retreat over Lent, with group meetings and presentation by Fr Matt on Wednesday evenings at the Rectory from 6--8pm, February 25 (Wednesday after Ash Wed) to March 25 (feast of the Annunciation). We will be using for a textThe First Spiritual Exercises by Michael Hansen, along with talks and additional resources. Light supper is included.
“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
--Luke 1:78-79
Celtic Spirituality: A One-Day Retreat led by James Ruff
Details to be announced
For Children
Our Sunday School program will be using a seasonal curriculum for Lent from StoryMakers. We used their curriculum for Advent and Christmas (including the Pageant) and it was well received. The classes take place during the Service of the Word portion of the Sunday Holy Eucharist service at 10am. Here are the themes for the Sundays in Lent:
2/22 Lent One The Desert
3/1 Lent Two Kingdom
3/8 Lent Three Samaritan
3/15 Lent Four Miracle
3/22 Lent Five True Life
3/29 Palm Sunday The Donkey
Each attending child will receive their own “zine” to take home, so they show their parents what they are learning. We will continue Storymakers in Easter season, working on putting together a play about what happened after Easter…
For Youth: Confirmation Class
Sundays in Lent 9—9:45 (between services)
This year we are offering a Confirmation class in Lent, leading to a Confirmation service on May 3 when Bishop Alan Shin will be visiting Grace Church. See the announcement below for dates. We will be using the Outline of the Faith (commonly called the Catechism) of the Book of Common Prayer for our text. There is also an opportunity to spend a Friday night at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in their Nightwatch Program. Tutorial dates are available if there are conflicts on a particular Sunday. Confirmands will also be trained as acolytes and participate in the 10:00 service at Grace. Contact Fr Matt if you or your teenage children are interested.
For Any Age: Being Disciples, Sundays in Lent, 11:15—noon
Using as a springboard for discussion: a set of talks given by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, published under the title Being Disciples, this class is open to all and can be joined any Sunday, but participation is required for those seeking to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. A light lunch will be included. Contact Fr. Matt if you are interested in confirmation or reception.
2/22 Lent One Being Disciples
3/1 Lent Two Faith, Hope and Love
3/8 Lent Three Forgiveness
3/15 Lent Four Holiness
3/22 Lent Five Faith in Society
3/29 Palm Sunday Life in the Spirit
For Going Deeper: Inner Peace in Darkness and Light
Wednesday evenings in Lent
You are invited to participate in a self-guided retreat over Lent, with group meetings and presentation by Fr Matt on Wednesday evenings at the Rectory from 6--8pm, February 25 (Wednesday after Ash Wed) to March 25 (feast of the Annunciation). We will be using for a textThe First Spiritual Exercises by Michael Hansen, along with talks and additional resources. Light supper is included.
“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
--Luke 1:78-79
Celtic Spirituality: A One-Day Retreat led by James Ruff
Details to be announced
