Sharing Lent

I "took my life in my hands" this morning and shared thoughts on Lent with a group of people who have no knowledge of the event/practice. I always get nervous when I do something "different" for the staff worship - but they think I'm weird anyway, so have given up being bothered by any negative responses.

However, this morning it went down extremely well! I shared a bit of the background of Lent, and some thoughts from two blogs (yes, I gave due credit!). I've had a lot of folk come up to me, saying they really enjoyed it. And this is the first worship time I can remember that folk have actually hung around and discussed what was shared afterwards...!

I must say I was surprised at the reaction. And pleased that they're open-minded enough to think about something out-of-the-norm too.

For the SDA church in this area (and many other areas in the world), Easter weekend is all about Campmeeting - a time when everyone from the area gets together, camps out at a certain location, and attends meetings and activities - usually there's at least one Big Tent involved, many communal meals, and here in the Cape it always rains over Easter. Campmeeting-goers end up soggy in their tents and caravans.

It's a great time to get together with folk you only see once a year, but in a way I feel it takes the focus a bit off the Reason for the Easter weekend.

Last year I had a very different Easter from the norm. Because of Campmeeting, most SDA churches empty out here over that weekend and services are down to a minimum. But last year I "hit" a different church where my best friend was involved in the dance part of an incredible passion play that was continued at each service over the entire weekend. It was a wonderful way to start the weekend and shifted our focus completely in the right direction.

That night we had communion at home. My mom was visiting from Australia, and it was just the three of us. We shared grape juice and bread by candlelight, and was such a moving experience that mom got all teary. The rest of the weekend followed a similar vein. It was just incredible.

This is the first year that I'm learning about Lent, and sharing it with others. I've challenged the staff to think beyond Campmeeting and the long trip there, to actually take time out to prepare for what we're celebrating. It's planted the tiniest of seeds, but I'm hoping it will make a difference.

::update::
It's the strangest thing. Since sharing my Lent bit this morning and with Bless the Lord (see previous post) stuck in my head, I've got a completely calm inner - peace in my heart, serenity (which of course I'm always seeking), stillness. Haven't had this for a very long time and it's a good way to go into the weekend.