Messenger. Some Background about the Fundraiser s Beneficiaries:

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1 Messenger Volume 55, Number 4 February 24, 2015 Changing the world through Christ, by caring for all people. assortment of items for the silent and live auctions, and we re confident that those attending will be pleased and impressed with the options! For a list of auction items and many other event details, please view Upcoming Events at What do Arizona military families with a hospitalized member have in common with approximately 175 toddlers, preschoolers and elementary students in Northwest Tucson? Both will benefit from an upcoming fundraiser being held at St. Mark s on Saturday, March 7th. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., It s a Spring Thing! will include an evening of dinner, music, and both silent and live auctions, all designed to raise funds for the Arizona Fisher House, as well as classroom updates for the children of St. Mark s UMC and Early Childhood Center. Tickets are available in the courtyard on Sunday morning or through the church office during the week for $30 each (or $215 for a table of eight). Seating is limited! Violinists, Lauren Carrasco and Julianne Lussier, will perform during the outdoor dinner, and the popular local duo of Diane Van Deurzen and Lisa Otey will provide musical entertainment during the second half of the evening. Generous local businesses, as well as church committees and groups, have donated a wide Some Background about the Fundraiser s Beneficiaries: With groundbreaking planned for later in 2015, the AZ Fisher House will be a comfort home where military and veterans families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment at the Southern Arizona Veterans Hospital or other medical facilities in Tucson. Currently, there are 63 Fisher Houses throughout the U.S., Germany and England. (Learn more at The first Sunday School classrooms for our church were built in 1966 (now known as Rooms 1-5). Utilizing this space during the week, St. Mark s Early Childhood Center began in the mid-1970 s, providing a local preschool program for northwest residents. It added childcare and a private kindergarten over the years, to meet the needs and desires of community families. Growth in both the congregation and the ECC led to construction of additional classroom wings in 1988 (Rooms 6-16). Classes start the week of March 8th, so get your books this Sunday! The books will be available in the courtyard between services on March 1st for $8. The book is also available as an ebook. You can still sign up for one of the four classes on the Adult Education board or online at Why? Lenten Study Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 23 facilitated by Terry Majewski and Brenda Hunter. Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Coffee Shop near Ina and LaCholla facilitated by Rev. Evy McDonald. Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the library facilitated by Linda Walker and Gail Parson. Wednesday evenings at Soul Station. Soul Station begins with a light dinner at 5:45 p.m., and worship begins usually about 6:15.

2 2 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 St. Mark s Messenger St. Mark s United Methodist Church 1431 W. Magee Road Tucson, AZ (520) Fax: (520) info@umcstmarks.org WEBSITE: SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8:15, 9:45 and 11:15am WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Light supper - 5:45pm Music/Programs - 6:15-7:15 Senior Pastor: Rev. Sharon Ragland Minister of Visitation: Rev. Laszlo Vega Christian Formation for Children, Families and Adults: Greg Poling Youth Ministries: Kim Ogle Communications & Outreach: Sandi Heilman Messenger Editor: Kayla Ruiz Published bi-weekly. To discontinue mailing of paper version and receive notification of online edition instead, please contact: Next Messenger deadline: March 5th Calendar Notes Technology Committee will meet on Thursday, Feb. 26th at 6:30 p.m. in the library. The Mental Health First Aid workshop is on Saturday, Feb. 28th (for those who registered) from 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Please bring your own lunch. Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Saturday, Feb. 28th at 10:00 a.m. in Rooms 17/18. Sunday School teachers will meet on Sunday, March 1st at 11:00 a.m. in Rooms 8/9. Green Team will meet on Sunday, March 1st at 12:20 p.m. in the conference room. NO Bells of St. Mark s rehearsal on Monday, March 2nd. Dear Church Family... Harold Mull and his family would like to thank Pastor Sharon, Pastor Laszlo and Pastor Evy for their visits, phone calls and prayers, as well as all of our St. Mark s family for your cards, messages and words of support on the passing of Harold s wife, Velma, last month. Your care has been greatly appreciated. Pat and Linda Alcivar I want to thank everyone for the wonderful cards of healing and prayer. Also thanks to Pastor Sharon for coming to pray with me before surgery. I'm doing well, but do really appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. Linda Salfen Thank you all for the overwhelming amount of cards, notes, and gifts. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and kind words. It was Where Moms Connect will meet on Wednesday, March 4th at 6:30 p.m. in Rooms 17/18. Permanent Endowment will meet on Wednesday, March 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room. Family Ministries will meet on Sunday, March 8th at 8:45 a.m. in the conference room. Sunday School Olympics is Sunday, March 8th at 10:45 a.m. on the West Patio. Membership Care will meet on Monday, March 9th at 1:00 p.m. in the library. The Imagine No Malaria Team will meet on Monday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the library. great working with the congregation at St. Mark s. My years of service were a gift of great joy to me, that I will always treasure! I m still around, and hope to see you all in the future. Keep smiling. Blessings, Jane Gordon Thank you for the beautiful prayer shawl. It is the greatest gift ever to know that you all are praying for me. I miss you all and thank you for allowing me to coordinate the Back Pack Program. Each day, I m getting a little stronger and hope to return to work soon. Cynthia Pennington Student Family Advocate Nash Elementary School (continued on Page 8)

3 3 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 Pet Memorial Service On Sunday, March 15th, at 3:00 p.m., St. Mark s will offer its annual pet memorial service for anyone in the community. It will be a time to acknowledge and respect the importance animals have held in our hearts and lives, and to celebrate their place in God s creation. Please share this opportunity with anyone who might appreciate attending. If you would like your pet s picture to appear in a video montage during the service, please it to info@umcstmarks.org by Friday, March 13th. (You can also bring a snapshot to the church office, where it can be scanned and returned.) The video will provide a time to honor the pets' memories. St. Mark s Children s Christian Education and Family Ministries Committeess are looking for volunteers to help out during the Community Easter Event. (Volunteers will be manning craft tables, running egg hunts, running the cupcake walk, etc.) We also need cupcake donations for the cupcake walk. This year, if you are bringing cupcakes, please package them in sets of six, if possible. To sign up as a volunteer or let us know you will donate cupcakes, contact Greg Poling ( or greg@umcstmarks.org). Super Citrus Saturdays Are your citrus trees full of fruit? Donate to help a family in need. For times and locations on Saturdays, February 28th and March 28th, visit communityfoodbank.com/citrus, or drop off your citrus donations at 3003 S. Country Club Rd. For questions, call Lou Medran ( ). This year s free-will offering will be donated to Hope Animal Shelter, a no-kill shelter for both dogs and cats, which is in the process of relocating from midtown to Northwest Tucson. Following the service, members of the Animal Ministry Team will offer refreshments in the Welcome Center, providing time for participants to mingle and share stories with others who understand. Those attending may even wish to bring a photo with them for this time of sharing. There will also be two therapy dogs available to offer comfort. Pet Memorial FAQ s Q: What exactly happens at a pet memorial service? A: Like any service, it includes music, scripture, prayer and a brief message. There are also two opportunities for remembering specific pets: the video and a candlelighting ritual. Q: Is this just for pets who ve died since last year s service? A: No, it doesn t matter how recent or how long ago the loss may be. Anyone is welcome. Q: It sounds sad. I m afraid I d cry, so I don t think I should go. A: People find the service more uplifting and healing than sad. Each year, they thank us for having it. And if there are some tears, participants (both men and women) understand them and accept them without judgment. Tears are no reason to stay away.

4 4 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 MISSION CORNER What do you know about homeless youth in our communities? At the next Missions Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 10th, Kim Sisson from Stand Up for Kids Tucson will be giving a short presentation about this local organization and how it works with homeless youth. The organization is composed of all volunteers who go out into the community to assist and provide necessities to homeless youth. Due to past experiences, many of these kids do not trust the established organizations and all their procedures for obtaining/qualifying for assistance. Volunteers work out of the trunk of Kim's car and/or carry back packs, which contain basic personal necessities for the kids. They also work at building relationships with these kids to try and keep them safe and to improve their lives. The congregation is welcome to listen to this presentation at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. TALK OF THE TOWN 2015 Do you want to support homeless youth graduating from high school, as well as have a fun evening? Youth on Their Own (YOTO) is hosting their main fundraising event of the year, "Talk of the Town: Refuse to Lose," on Saturday, March 14th at Casino Del Sol Resort. The ballroom will be transformed to host the tailgating party from 5:00 9:00 p.m. There will be amazing silent and live auctions, along with live entertainment. Two big screens will be available for viewing the Pac 12 basketball games. The cost is $99.00 per person. For tickets go to YOTO.ORG or call HIV/AIDS Ministry News WOW!! The Sunday Dinner Sale on February 15th was a HUGE success and the proceeds totaled $352. All of the monies from the Dinner Sale go directly to a scholarship fund for a 4-day retreat called Strength for the Journey held at the United Methodist Mingus Mountain Campgrounds. Camp dates this year are May This is a retreat for men and women, 18 years of age or older, who are living with HIV and their caretaker. Participants are asked to pay half the camp tuition and scholarship money pays the remainder ($80). The Dinner Sale provided funds for 4 people to attend Strength for the Journey. YEAH! A BIG thank you to all the bakers of the wonderful homemade food that was sold!! And a BIG thank you to all of you who generously purchased the yummy items! The next Sunday Dinner Sale will be on March 15th; watch for notices and reminders. If you would like to contribute items for the sale, please contact Linda Girard New people make for a greater variety of hot and cold entrees, breads and desserts. Volunteer Orientation for Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) is scheduled for the afternoon hours on March 21st. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive training to be a volunteer for a very active non-profit organization in Tucson. Please go to TIHAN.org for the application and instructions or call If you have any leftover calendars from 2014, or calendars for 2015, you are not going to use, please place them in the lower left box on the cart in the courtyard on Sunday morning or in the HIV/AIDS mailbox in the office. The pictures are used to decorate grocery bags (that become Care Packages) for people living with HIV. These bags are filled with paper products and personal items and distributed at a monthly luncheon/social event called POZ Cafe. We will continue to collect bars of soap for the month of March. Thank you!

5 5 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 Folk Choir Concert For those of you who wondered if the Folk Choir was ever going to do another concert, the answer is an emphatic Yes! Join us in the sanctuary on Sunday, March 22nd, at 3:00 p.m. for the Folk Choir Concert entitled The Faith Journey. Come prepared for some foot-stompin, hand-clappin music sung by the Folk Choir, as well as a piano piece by our very accomplished accompanist Lira Makarova, and the men of the choir singing a special number just for you. We will also have the 1st chair trumpeter from the Community Orchestra, Jerry Trout, playing with us on one piece. The concert is free, but there will be a free-will offering to be divided between the Kairos Prison Ministry and TMM Family Services. You won t want to miss this joyous faith journey through song. See you then. Sondra Franks Folk Choir Director Parking Lot Sale March 14! The St. Mark s Youth will be hosting their annual Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, March 14th from 7:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the youth s Sierra Service Project. (Repairing homes in inner-city San Diego.) You can donate items, shop, sell, or do all three. We need your stuff! The more treasures that are donated, the more we have to sell. Donations for the sale will be accepted March 12th & 13th in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Kim Ogle in the church office (kim@umcstmarks.org or ), if you would like to rent a 16 x 16 space to sell your own treasures. Spaces rent for only $ Info Meeting for 2016 Journeys of Paul Trip A St. Mark s trip to Greece and Turkey is being planned for September 9 20, This will follow some of the journeys of the apostle Paul, and visit such places as Athens, Corinth, Thessalonika, Philippi, Istanbul, Nicaea, Pergamum, Thyatira, Laodicea, Ephesus and much more. The cost per person, double occupancy, is about $3800. This trip, like last year s to Israel and Jordan, will be led by Rev. Sharon and Art Ragland, and Paul and Sallyann Wassmuth, and is being organized through Educational Opportunities. An information meeting will be held on Sunday, March 15th, at 12:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Plan to join us now to find out more about this trip of a lifetime. Questions? Contact Paul (paulwassmuth@comcast.net) or Sharon (sharon@umcstmarks.org). Paul and Sallyann Sharon and Art

6 6 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, Adult Mission Trip Planning Meeting Join us on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 20 to help us plan our 2015 Adult Mission Trip. How can we serve this year? Bring your ideas about where the Adult Mission Trip might go in 2015 Or just come if you are interested and share your opinions on the dates and length of the trip. This is our first planning meeting, so you can join the fun from the beginning. We have had great trips the last two years, to San Diego and Salt Lake City, helping people in the name of Christ. If you would like to read about and view pictures from the 2014 Adult Mission Trip to the UMCOR West Depot in Salt Lake City, UT, visit Contact Greg Poling ( or greg@umcstmarks.org) if you are interested, but can not make the meeting. Fragrance-Free Seating Area I remember one church holiday where I had to sit in the narthex (lobby). I listened to the service through the speakers that are out there, then I ran in to take communion before returning to my seat outside the sanctuary. Why was I out there? Over the years, I have developed a sensitivity to perfumes/colognes that literally takes my breath away. Actually, anything that smells can trigger a reaction. Some of the things that trigger me other than perfumes are some hand soaps, shampoo, hair spray, carpet cleaners, cleaning supplies, and certain plant life. It's awful. Imagine someone throwing a plastic bag over your head and cinching it shut. It isn't the holding your breath kind of not being able to breathe but instead it is like being underwater and out of air. Nothing moves in or out of your lungs. Some times I black out, some times I see stars, some times I lose my voice. At it's worst I have to take strong antibiotics, use an inhaler, and it can take me up to three weeks to get my breathing back to normal. This phenomenon is becoming more and more common place and the St. Mark's Green Team and Trustees are addressing the issue by having a fragrance-free zone in the near future. The chairs against the wall between the sound booth and the door before the meditation room will have signage to dedicate a fragrance free zone so people like me can join the service. Please be respectful of the fragrance-free zone. If you don't suffer from this problem, leave the seats open to those who struggle with fragrances. I am thankful that our congregation is recognizing the many ways we can welcome people to worship. Deaconess Marjie Hrabe Women s Spiritual Growth Retreat The Desert Southwest Conference of United Methodist Women announces a Women s Spiritual Growth Retreat for all women. The retreat will be held at Redemptorist Renewal Center on Picture Rocks Road in Tucson from April The retreat leader will be St Mark s own Reverend Dr. Evy McDonald. Commuter cost to attend is $140.00, which includes Friday night dinner, three meals on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. The retreat is titled Feed My Soul: A Christ-like Experience. There will be learning/discussions sessions throughout the weekend, and several opportunities to learn about, and/or choose different ways to meditate, i.e. draw yourself closer to God. Please check your calendar now. Put this on your calendar, if at all possible. Copies of the retreat information and registration forms, are available in the United Methodist Women s mailbox in the church office. More information will be available in the next Messenger, too.

7 7 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 Pastor Laszlo to Assist Sanctuary UMC till July In an effort to discover ways for St. Mark s UMC to collaborate with Sanctuary UMC and Vista de la Montana UMC, Pastor Sharon met in January with the current pastors of the those two congregations. In that meeting, Pastor Mark Maddox was reminded that I am serving St. Mark s on a part-time basis (3/4 time, or 30 hrs/week.). In conversations between myself, Pastors Sharon and Mark, and Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, our District Superintendent, we determined that I was available to assist Sanctuary UMC and Pastor Mark on a 1/4 time basis. Thus, I have been appointed to Sanctuary UMC as a part-time Associate Pastor as of February 9, This additional appointment is for the rest of this appointment year, ending June 30th. My main task at Sanctuary will be to develop and implement a Lay Visitation Team before June 20th. This will be a team of church members who will provide assistance to the pastor in the capacity of visiting other members in hospitals or at home. The Sanctuary congregation already has some foundations for this in place. I will build upon this foundation by sharing with them my experiences in visiting people who are ill, and people who are facing or recovering from surgery. We will explore listening skills, ways to pray, confidentiality, and boundary issues, among other topics. They will not be as fully trained as Stephen Ministers, but they will be able to serve each other and their pastor well. My work with you at St. Mark s has been mostly mornings and early afternoons, with some occasional evenings, and three Sundays per month in worship. This will not change. My work with the Sanctuary congregation will be mostly evenings and some late afternoons. I will be in worship at Sanctuary one Sunday per month, usually the second Sunday, and will be here the other Sundays each month. I ask for your prayers, not only for me, but for our brothers and sisters in Christ at Sanctuary UMC. Please pray for our bothers and sisters at Vista de la Montana UMC as well. Perhaps this will be the beginning of collaborative ministries between these congregations and St. Mark s as we seek to transform the world by making disciples for Jesus Christ! See you in ministry! Pastor Laszlo Pastor Laszlo and I have discussed this temporary, part-time appointment for him, and I support this collaboration with Sanctuary UMC. I ve discussed this with our Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and our District Superintendent. This utilizes Pastor Laszlo s gifts and passion for pastoral care and visitation. Pastor Sharon 1-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation The Desert Southwest Conference Spiritual Formation Team is sponsoring a 1-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, Living in Sacred Balance: The Cycle of Grace. Rev. Jerry Haas, one of our Five Day Academy Team leaders and author of several books on spiritual formation, will be giving three learning sessions during the day-long event on "The Cycle of Grace" and on "Church Vitality." March 21st from 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. at Dove of the Desert UMC (7201 W. Beardsley Rd, Glendale AZ ). Registration includes materials and lunch. Please register online by March 8th at: Free childcare will be offered for early registration only. Please indicate if you need childcare and the age(s) of the child(ren). For more information, please contact Judy Boroto (jeboroto@aol.com).

8 8 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 From Your Staff Parish Relations Committee Seeking A New Associate Pastor Because Pastor Laszlo s primary call in ministry is to visitation and pastoral care, and our needs at St. Mark s include that and much more, we have asked our District Superintendent to work with the Bishop and Cabinet to appoint a full-time Associate Pastor at St. Mark s, beginning July 1, Pastor Laszlo has been part-time because of his desire to serve primarily in the area of pastoral care. We need an associate to work in administering and carrying out pastoral care, as well as leading our Soul Station (Wednesday night ministry), working with committees, and carrying out other associate pastor duties (regular preaching and assisting in other areas). We are extremely grateful to Pastor Laszlo, and appreciate all the work he is doing in visitation, membership care, and assisting in worship and as a liaison to the Trustees. He is continuing to seek full-time employment in areas of pastoral care and visitation. Please keep him in your prayer as he seeks that, and with our Superintendent and Bishop as they seek a full-time Associate Pastor for St. Mark s. Dear Church Family... Dean Elledge, Staff Parish Relations Committee Chairperson Sharon Ragland, Senior Pastor (continued from Page 2) Harmon and I wish to thank all of you caring people of St. Mark s for the many cards, calls and prayers that we have recently received. Our health resources have limited our religious worship during the past few months. However, we are firm believers in the healing power of prayer and strongly feel that recovery is assured, and our prayers are answered. We truly will be blessed to be with you again. Thank you for your love and support. (Thirtyeight years of membership, and very proud to call St. Mark s our church home.) Mary and Harmon Harrison Thank you to our loving church family for helping us celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary, on Feb. 14th, with the surprise card shower. Bless all of your for making this a very wonderful day. Tom and Dalene Peters Make Way for Books provides high-quality early literacy programs that help young children develop reading skills, empower parents to be their child s first, best teacher, and support educators. Make Way for Books thanks you for your most generous gift! We are extremely grateful. Jenny Volpe Executive Director Thank you for your gift of $1,000. Your generosity enables World Vision to provide essential care, encouragement, and hope to hurting children and families. You are a vital part of the work we do in the name of Christ. Richard E. Stearns President Thank you for your very generous gift of $2,500 to Our Family Services. Your donation helps to make our community a better place to live, to grow up, and to grow older for people in every stage of life. Patti Caldwell, MSW Executive Director Recently, I loaned someone a DVD entitled Theologians Under Hitler. I can't remember who, but I would appreciate getting the DVD back. It is my favorite. Deaconess Marjie Hrabe

9 9 St. Mark s Messenger February 24, 2015 E.C.C. NEWS... Fall Registration Registration is open to the public beginning March 3rd. If you need a registration packet, you can pick one up in the ECC office. You may also schedule a time to visit a Preschool classroom. For Our Prayers... In the hospital: Margaret Craycraft, David Harrington, Tom Smallwood In rehab or care facilities: Patricia Hinton, Gil Hooser, Joyce O Connor, Ernest Rush Under hospice care at home: Lee Long, Charlotte Queen At home: Jude Anderson, William Billieros, George Fry, Arlin Hubka, Jan Nichols, Kim Ransom Riffle, Linda Salfen, Gloria Spratt, Lona Lee Stauffacher, Connie White, Don and Grace Woodard. We offer our Christian love and sympathy to... Ray and Wanda Loughney, upon the death of Wanda s mother, Florence, on Feb. 20 in KS. Marlyce Wright, upon the death of her brother, Charles, on Feb. 20 in NY. Linda Billieros, upon the death of her mother, Dorothy Brown, on Feb. 22. Loved Ones In The Military... Please keep these people in your prayers. additions or updates to messenger@umcstmarks.org. William Clark (grandson of Drs. Marvin and Sandra Clark) a lieutenant, serving in the U.S. Army in the 10th Mountain Brigade at Fort Drum, NY. Jeremy Dodson (grandson of Jan and Gil Hooser) serving in the U.S. Navy, Norfolk, VA, aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt. Brandonn Eto (close friend of Zirnheld/Compernolle family) serving with the U.S. Marines in Japan. Mike Freeman (son of Ken and Ann Freeman) a lieutenant colonel, stationed at McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS. Patrick Harris (grandson of Marilyn Vaughn), Ground Radar at Clovis AFB in NM. Justin Jewett (son of Ralph and Janeene Jewett), currently on a government contract in Afghanistan teaching anti-terrorism to the Afghan military. Christina Lesnewski (granddaughter of Martha Mazzolini), serving at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Chad Long (grandson of Lee and Pat Long), currently in helicopter training with the U.S. Army National Guard at Fort Rucker, AL. Charles Manherz (grandson of Ray and Doris Tyler), currently stationed at Fort Mead, NC. Jake Newton (son of Robert and Cheri Newton), serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, NC. John O Regan (husband of Ashley O Regan and grandson-in-law of Janet Krug) serving in the U.S. Air Force at Fort Drum, NY. Brian Osborn (pastor in the Desert SW Conference), deployed to Afghanistan. Zachary Purdy (grandson of Ray and Doris Tyler), currently stationed in Korea. Clint Staschke (son-in-law of Cliff and June Young) a lieutenant, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, deployed to the Middle East. Michael and Karisa Szczygiel (daughter and son-in-law of Joyce Flick) senior master sergeants, serving in the U.S. Air Force in Germany.

10 1431 W. Magee Road Tucson AZ NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, ARIZONA NO. 454 Address Service Requested Reflections Recently, we ve had some magnificent sunrises and sunsets in Tucson, haven t we? On Sunday evening, Feb. 22nd, Art and I were driving to an event and had to stop and notice and take photos of a startling display of red, pink, gold, purple and blue in that evening s sunset. Displays of God s presence and majesty are all around us, aren t they? We see flowers beginning to bloom in the desert. In our church, we see the ways peoples lives are affected by the care and concern of others, by worship and prayer, by the work of our hands in the community all made possible by the grace and power of God in Jesus Christ. We re in the season of Lent, leading up to Easter on April 5th. Lent gives us the chance to look within and around us, and particularly notice the ways God is working in our lives. Perhaps there are ways we need to turn from things in our lives that are destructive and pull us away from God. Perhaps there are ways we need to turn more fully toward God, noticing and embracing what God is doing in our lives. That s part of the reason why we re talking during Lent about The Question that Won t Go Away Why? so we can better know how God works in our lives and in our world. I invite you to join in the Lenten studies that are beginning, and make the commitment to be in worship all through Lent on Sundays and/or Wednesdays at Soul Station. Here is my prayer for today: Thank you, Eternal God, for all that you do for us and all the ways you bless us. Help us notice the ways we are far from you, and how you long to draw us close once again. Help us say yes to you, and to your work in our lives. Strengthen us during this Lenten journey, that we might know you better, and serve you more fully in the world. Heal our world, O God, by your mighty hand, and through the work of our hands. In Jesus name, Amen. Blessings, Sharon