Dear friends in Christ,
Amidst the chaos of the world, I have some good news. Lent is coming up, starting four weeks from today. Now, if you’re a person who dreads Lent, you might not think of this as good news. I invite you, with joy, to give Lent a try, especially this year. If you’re a person who loves Lent, it’s just around the corner.
I used to have mixed feelings about this season myself. But then my perspective changed: Lent is not about self-inflicted misery. Lent is about paring away distractions so that we can reconnect with Jesus. It’s about joyful renewal, ultimately.
I encourage you to think about how you’ll savor this season. Don’t wait until the last minute! You might spend more time in prayer or with scripture. Maybe it’s a chance to feed your mind by learning something new about our ancient faith. Perhaps there’s a distraction you can clear out of your life for a while. Or maybe you’ll seek new opportunities to serve the world in Christ’s name.
Jesus’ Lenten journey in the wilderness prepared him for his public ministry. Similarly, our own interior renewal is necessary to prepare us for the public witness our world desperately needs right now.
We at Forward Movement have several resources to help you through this holy season. You might like to read Honest to Goodness by Furman Buchanan, a new daily devotional for Lent. We have several other Lenten devotional books you can read if they suit your preference. Jay Sidebotham’s colorable calendar poster might be a creative way to engage the season, and it’s great for young people or the young at heart.
I’ve made a short video in which I do some show-and-tell about a few Forward Movement resources.
And, of course, you don’t need to spend money to do Lent! A prayer book and a Bible will do just fine. But if you’re looking for resources to support you and to equip a small group, please consider our resources — and look at what other organizations offer, too.
Most important: I hope you’ll find a way to prepare yourself for a holy Lent.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
P.S. If you ARE ordering from Forward Movement, make sure your order is in by February 9 so you can receive your materials on time.
More from our ministry:
All our Lenten resources, gathered together in one place
A simple practice for all seasons: Forward Day by Day
Explore devotions for Lent in Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book
Get ready for the next liturgical season: Easter Triumph, Easter Joy