I recently agreed to serve as “Cubmaster” for the Swarthmore Cub Scout Pack 112. I was hesitant to agree to serve in this role for a few reasons. However, after being reassured by the outgoing cubmaster of his support and after two parents stepped up to take leadership of the den I was leading, and knowing that if I did not serve, the cub scout pack would be disbanded, I agreed to serve. We have planned a series of pack events for this winter and spring, including an outdoor camping trip to Fort Mifflin later this Spring.

While planning this camping trip, it brought back one of my favorite childhood memories: the weekends spent with my father and brother camping with other participants in the YMCA Indian Guides program. We would pack up the car, drive a couple of hours, and spend the weekend fishing, horseback riding, hiking and doing other “camp” activities. These weekend journeys to Camp Tippecanoe were always a great adventure. I never was quite sure what to expect. There were always one or two surprises.

These memories bring to my mind other life journeys: family vacations, my mission trip to Russia in 1993, my educational journey, my trips to South Africa, and the adventure of fatherhood, to name just a few. I also think of the journey we began as pastor and people this past July/August. Our journey together began like no other journey I have ever taken. It began in the middle of a pandemic. Yet even with the challenges of the pandemic, we have had a good start to our journey.

Like other journeys in our lives, there will be moments of joy and sadness in this shared journey. There will be surprises along the way as we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. There will be lots of laughter and occasional disappointments. There will be moments of testing, which are almost always an opportunity for growth. This is all part of being a community and walking with each other. I look forward to walking this journey with each of you.

I think of one other journey that is approaching. February 17marks the beginning of our Lenten Journey. Some of us may not be familiar with Lent. Others of us may be familiar but have never observed Lent. Lent’s origins date back to the early church when catechumens (converts under training) would fast and pray before being baptized at the Easter Vigil. By the 4th century Lent had become a time of preparation for all Christians. Lent is a time to return to the desert where Jesus spent 40 days readying for his ministry. During this time, he allowed himself to be tested. As Jesus’ followers we are invited to do the same.

Lent focuses on three spiritual practices: fasting, almsgiving and prayer. Through fasting we “give up” comforts or necessities. When we fast, we are tested. Will we rely on God or will we give in to our desire for what we have given up? Fasting often moves us to what lies under the surface. It can reveal our bent towards sinning and remind us of our need for God’s forgiveness. The goal of “giving up” is not to be holier than thou, but for it to lead to repentance and gratitude for the grace of God in our lives.

This leads to the second practice, almsgiving, also known as charity, or “giving out!” Usually the money saved from “our fasting” is given to those in need or given to further the mission of Christ’s church. The third practice is prayer. In prayer, we create space to communicate with God. We not only talk but listen.
Often people will pray during the time usually spent doing what they are now choosing to “give up.” For example, instead of eating lunch, they pray.

To quote the editors of the book Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter, “Lent should never be morose – an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forget a handful of pleasures. Instead, we ought to approach Lent as an opportunity, not a requirement.”

I hope this Lent will be a spiritual growth opportunity for you. On the next page, you will find some suggestions for observing Lent. Lent is a perfect time to grow as this year our Lenten journey covers the timer period from the dormancy/dead of winter to new life springing forth in the early Spring. May this Lent be a time when “out of the darkness of sin’s winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges.”

Pastor David