Message from the Minister

Walking our Way
Through Lent to Easter
This year’s United Church Lenten resource very nicely compliments our practice here at Sunnybrook to walk our way through Lent together on Sunday afternoons. I have replaced my leaky boots, so I’m ready to go!
Lent is typically a time of reflection as we prepare ourselves for the Easter story. Some people like to choose a mindfulness activity for the 40 days of Lent, like giving something up, learning something new, or taking on a spiritual practice like fasting. Glynis and I are excited about offering to you this year’s Lenten Study, which we are calling Cosmic Reflections. With the help of the United Church resource, Act/Fast: Spiritual Practices for a
Climate in Crisis, we will explore our relationship with the earth. We will also look at rather unique ways of fasting (habits rather than food) with the help of Christine Valters Painter’s book, A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent.
Of course, anytime Glynis and I get together, you know there will be poetry, music, and other artistic expressions woven into our time together.

All this walking and reflecting together will prepare our hearts and minds for a wonderful Easter celebration. The resurrection brings the “Jesus” story full circle. Through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we begin to understand the good news of God incarnate in the world. A never-ending love story of beginnings, endings, and new beginnings again.
You are invited to join us this Lenten season in whatever way feels just right for you. Whether you hit the trails with us Sunday afternoons, spend time reflecting and learning together Thursday evenings, or simply create your own time and space to read and journal, I hope you will find Lent to be a meaningful journey toward our Easter Hallelujahs.
Peace and Joy,
Nancy