Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian tradition. It’s the beginning of the season of Lent. During this season it’s a time to repent, reflect, pray, and draw closer to God. I served at my churches Ash Wednesday service as a way to begin this journey to Easter. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust
This display at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee is in support and petitioning for prayers for peace in Ukraine. The country is in need of an end of the conflict that has caused much death and destruction.
Each February the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee holds its annual convention. This year it was held at the Episcopal School of Knoxville. This event is where delegates from its member churches gather to renew friendships, make connections, and conduct business. My wife and I with our friend Tammy and our priest Fr. Drew were in attendance to represent our parish, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga. It was good to get away overnight too. Here are a few snaps of our time there.
This rainbow was a good thing to see today. It’s symbolic of a lot of things. Thank you God for this.
Due to the icy weather this morning, our church canceled services. We still attended church, but virtually. My college roommate Joey is a United Methodist pastor. He led a service from his church that we watched this morning. His parishioners stayed home but he went in and streamed services via Facebook. It was good to see him in action this morning.
This reminded me of when everything went virtual due to COVID years ago. It was nice being in my pj’s this morning but my faith is best expressed in community with others and to be present in the parish house at St. Peter’s.
This morning, after church, the church was prepared for Christmas. Today was the last Sunday of Advent, and we are now focusing on the Christmas season which lasts 12 days (as in The 12 Days of Christmas). St. Peter’s is Ready for the big days ahead. I hope your preparations are going well.
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