Glitter + Ash Wednesday!
Greetings Pilgrims and Friends!
It’s Felix Flanders, your Director of Christian Education here!
One thing I’ve been noticing on Sundays, is how we vary up the language and focus for some of the expected parts of the service, like the call to worship or the commission and benediction. It would not be strange for us to use the same words each Sunday for these parts of worship but I like that we don’t. I like that I can count on the stability of there being a call to worship and a benediction, but I also like that the language shifts and doesn’t give me the opportunity to start just saying words by rote. I know I am a more reflective and active worshiper both in and outside of service when presented with a new points of view from week to week. This past Sunday we were sent out with the commission and benediction to “to disrupt cycles of violence, to practice healing within and around, and to create bold alternatives to norms that harm and destroy.” Easy peasy. Or not so much. It can feel hard to live up to that sort of a commission.
If you feel overwhelmed---fear not! An opportunity to practice healing and to create a bold alternative to harmful norms is coming up next week at our Glitter + Ash Wednesday service on February 26th, 6pm.
We are joining Parity NYC’s campaign for the second year because it so directly reflects the kind of Christians we strive to be. Ash Wednesday is a day to take stock of ourselves and to pause and remember the sacrifice God made for us and to remember what is asked of us as Christians. It also begins the 40 day season of Lent. Adding glitter literally and figuratively builds upon this tradition.
Along with many churches we agree that “Glitter Ashes let the world know that we are progressive, queer-positive Christians.…By becoming visible, we show our faith in God who empowers us and wants us to repent of hurting each other. We want people to see how important our faith is to us.”
Also, as Kate’s photo from last year shows, it’s fun! All Pilgrim members, friends, and community members are invited to join us!
Much love,
Felix
