Feb. 17, 2021: UU Lent

My daughter and a church member on the roof of a house we built in Biloxi after Katrina. He died much too young a few years later. Yesterday our congregation had its first death (not from covid) since the pandemic began. Life is #holy #uulent2021

By now, you will have heard that Tom Christenbery, husband of David Frese, member of GNUUC since its beginning, died suddenly on Tuesday morning. We hold David in our love and care, and will share news of ways we can help, and of services if they are planned.

David and I were just texting on Monday, and sharing some fun and delightful memories of childhood, snow, food, pets, traditions. From our exchange, I know that he and Tom had a beautiful last day together.

David also encouraged me to share some ideas as I had done during Advent. I’d already been considering doing this, so I got busy looking for a way to celebrate the 40 days of Lent for UUs.

Although we do not observe Lent as a sacrament, and the majority of UUs are not Trinitarian even if Christian, it touches upon practices that pre-date Christianity and that occur in many spiritual paths. Self-discipline and self-awareness are especially significant this year. Most of us have been forced to give up some things, and to forego pleasures: dining out; travel; visits with extended family; even simple things like browsing the aisles at the supermarket. Could I really be asking you to “give up” something else for Lent?

Yes and no.

You don’t have to practice self-denial unless you think it would be helpful. Simply using these forty days to increase your proximity to God, the Holy, to your own Wisdom is more than enough.

I will be sending you a missive each day based upon a word assigned by some UU folks who enjoy Lent. It will include a photo and a few brief thoughts.

As ever, feel free to ignore them if they aren’t your thing, or let us know if you’d rather not receive them!

This is today's word: “Holy”. The rest will come by e-mail.