What does our Diocesan theme of “Whole-hearted worship” look like for your worshipping community in the Season of Lent? What preparation do you need, in your body and soul and community, to really be free to celebrate the Resurrection?
One season of Lent in the parish, I went into the sanctuary on the Saturday afternoon before the first Sunday of Lent, after the Altar guild had finished their preparation for the next day. I put a long wide piece of sand coloured fabric down the whole length of the aisle up to altar. I placed many large stones on this path, along with several prickly cacti. A Desert road. A wilderness path, for the day Jesus was “driven into the wilderness” by the Holy Spirit. A visual invitation to the “journey” to the Cross.
I know we need to take care not to have “gimmicks” that draw attention to themselves rather than pointing us to God. However, we are a sensory people. We need imaginative ways to engage worship. A change of season needs a change of colour and a change of hymns. The liturgy may change shape to begin with a penitential rite at the opening of the service rather than as a response to the Word. We don’t sing Alleluias. Instead of the Gloria we have the Kyrie Eleison (Lord have Mercy) or the solemn repetition of the majestic Trisagion. Thoughtful choices of hymns with life-giving and authentic theology are needed.
The goal of Lent is not instilling guilt or grovelling in misery, but opening ourselves to God’s grace and love, God’s power to set us free!
I would also encourage you to find a way to offer for those who need it the service of “The Reconciliation of a Penitent” BAS 166. Although we have public a confession during worship, this service is always available if needed. Lent is a good time for this service to be introduced as a spiritual practice, offered by a priest to whoever may wish it. I also encourage you at the time of the general confession (BAS p 191) to leave a generous time of silence for people to make their confession to God. Leave a space!
I am convinced we need to focus (in preaching and in the invitation to the confession) on our corporate sin more than on our personal individual sins. For example, we are burdened by participating in a society that overconsumes the earth, sells weapons, perpetuates systemic racism, etc. How do we allow people meaningful space in Lent to articulate where they are feeling weighed down and helpless by our systemic sin?
How can we provide a way to hear anew God’s grace and healing power to bring transformation, not only in ourselves but in society.
I invite you to observe a Holy Lent!
Yours in Christ,
+Lynne
