The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Lent is a 40-day season given to us as a time of spiritual preparation for the astonishing story of Easter. Traditionally, Lent is a time to fast—to refrain from excess and experience our hunger for God; a time to pray and study the Word of God—to quiet our thoughts and open our hearts to God’s call on our lives; and a time to repent—to turn away from words, thoughts, behaviors that close us off to the fullness of God’s kingdom and the fullness of all that our lives might become.

Our theme for Lent this year is “Seeking.” As we hear again the Biblical stories of the Temptation of Jesus,
Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and others, we will hear our ancestors, and even our Savior himself, wrestling with questions of identity, purpose, direction, and vocation. We will hear our own questions and longings echoed in theirs: who am I in my heart of hearts? Who is God calling me to be? What is the new life offered me in Christ? What is the song of my soul? May Lent be for us each and all a holy season of seeking
new depth and growth, seeking healing, vision, and deeper faithfulness. For our God has promised: “When you seek me, you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart.”