Every year the Church Pension Group sends parishes a calendar with great cartoons that get to the heart, and the funny bone, of life in the church. A few years ago they nailed Lent in the March cartoon-it showed various church folk saying what they'll give up for Lent. The rector decided on Vestry meetings, the assistant would try to live without the diocesan training for new clergy, the organist would spend Lent not listening to the rector's hymn suggestions, the clergy spouse wouldn't host teas at the rectory, the "average parishioner" is giving up sermons-and the parish secretary is just giving up. It reminded me of a very earnest six year old in one of my parishes who, with a relatively straight face, tried to convince me that not eating peas constituted a challenging Lenten discipline.

The notions of giving up and discipline have gotten so intertwined with Lent that generally, as the season approaches, we groan and look the other way. There are those who suggest taking something on daily for Lent-definitely more positive, but for people whose to-do lists are already maxed out, still unlikely to be carried through these forty days.

What I offer you this Lenten season is what I need myself-claiming the time to take a deep breath and be in the presence of God. If that sounds good, I encourage you to let it happen on occasion-while taking a walk or in your favorite chair perhaps, or even at a red light, while in line at the grocery store, or when you get put on hold on the phone. Nothing to give up, nothing to take on-just breathe and be. May Lent be a prayerful, reflective, and restorative season for you, lived in the loving presence of God.                                                                            Terry

Conversations about worship

As you know, we'll be moving to an extended experiment with an 8 and 10 a.m. worship schedule after Easter. The first of our conversations about the 10 a.m. service will be this Sunday, March 15, at 10:15 and 12:15 in the Lichtenberger Room (following both services), and we'll be talking about any concerns we might have about this plan, our hopes for the service, and ideas for making those hopes happen. Another conversation will be held March 22 at 10:15 and, if needed, at 12:15 that day as well. Please plan to be part of these conversations, but if you can't be there feel free to email Terry with your thoughts and hopes.

Donations needed for Rockin' Auction 2009: Cabaret

We like to cook, we like to eat, and boy do we like to party!  So, let's bring out our favorite "Rockin'" standards and get this Auction swinging.  Past performers and gold record winners include home delivered dinners and dinner parties, catered picnics, themed gift baskets (baby, teen, working parents--even pet!), and nifty kits for anything from arts and crafts projects to sushi making and movie night.  We'll gather up the goodies and get together someplace fun on Saturday, May 9^th for our own home-grown Cabaret and Rockin' Auction.   See you there!

Lenten House Church

has gotten off to a great start. Join us Friday, March 13 at Steve and Kate Kelley's, 85 Lancaster Terrace, for a potluck soup supper 6:30 to 7:30, and conversation 7:30 to 8:30. On March 20 we'll be at the Margolis home, 118 Mason Terrace.

Brookline Emergency Food Pantry news

The food pantry has temporarily relocated to the Old Lincoln School on Rt. 9 in preparation for renovations to the parish house.

Daily meditation from Episcopal Relief and Development

Here's a Lenten meditation from ERD that was emailed March 10:

And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Luke 18:8

Some of us think of faith primarily as an irrational acceptance of statements about God's action, a serene capacity to accept things that don't make any sense on their own. We often speak of faith when there appears to be no hope at all.

Faith is a long and sometimes difficult conversation with God. There isn't anything we can say to God that will break that relationship. Over time, it becomes part of us; we come to understand that human beings have faith the way we have toenails. God just is, in our lives, and we come to know that we do not exist apart from that being, whether we understand it or not.

(You may subscribe to the daily meditations at www.er-d.org.)

Friday, March 13     6:30-8:30 p.m.  Lenten house church at the Kelley home

Sunday, March 15 Third Sunday in Lent

             8 a.m.            Holy Eucharist in the Chapel

             8:15 a.m.       Pajama Choir rehearsal in the choir room         

             9 a.m.            Holy Eucharist in the Church

            10 a.m.           Church school

            10:15 a.m.      Conversation about 10 a.m. service plans in Lichtenberger Rm.

            11 a.m.           Holy Eucharist in the Church

            12:15 p.m.      Conversation about 10 a.m. service plans in Lichtenberger Rm.

Tuesday, March 17 7:30 p.m. Vestry meeting

Friday, March 20     6:30-8:30 p.m.  Lenten House Church at the Margolis home

Sunday, March 22  Fourth Sunday in Lent     

            8 a.m.             Holy Eucharist in the Chapel

            8:15 a.m.        Pajama Choir rehearsal in choir room    

            9 a.m.             Holy Eucharist in the Church

            10 a.m.           Church school

            10:15 a.m.      Conversation about 10 a.m. service plans in Lichtenberger Rm.      

            11 a.m.           Holy Eucharist in the Church

Please send your submission for sparks, a column for parishioners to write about things that have sparked insight, new ways of thinking, faith, etc. to Elizabeth Laurencot at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for inclusion in an upcoming Calendar.