Lent at St. David's: "Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God"

In the Episcopal Church, Lent is a special season of the church year when people get ready for Easter. Lent lasts for about 40 days (not counting Sundays) and begins on Ash Wednesday. During this time, families are invited to:

• Pray a little more than usual

• Help others in extra ways

• Give something up (like a favorite treat or habit) to make room for God

• Think about how to grow kinder and closer to Jesus

It’s not meant to be a sad time, but a thoughtful and hopeful one. Just like spring cleaning clears out a house, Lent is like “heart cleaning” — making space for love, forgiveness, and new life before we celebrate the joy of Easter.

Lent reminds us that everyone makes mistakes, everyone is loved by God, and everyone can start fresh.

St. David's offers several opportunities to grow in Christ and create space for love, forgiveness, and new life:

• Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It’s a quiet, meaningful service that helps people begin this season of reflection and growth. One special part of the service is called the imposition of ashes. The priest gently places a small cross of ashes on each person’s forehead and says words like, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are usually made from palm branches that were blessed on Palm Sunday the year before. Even though it sounds serious, Ash Wednesday is not about feeling bad — it’s about being honest, receiving God’s love, and getting ready for the joyful celebration of Easter.

• Daily Lenten Meditations written by St. David’s Education for Ministry (EfM) class and clergy. Click here to receive your daily meditation.

• Embodiment and Centering Prayer: February 22, March 1, March 22, and March 29 (Palm Sunday), 10:15-11:00 a.m., Jeffords Hall Front Half. Come join a 4-week series of spiritual embodiment using the tools of the text, contemplative practices and centering prayer. Feel free to bring a yoga mat or blanket to get comfortable! Questions? Contact Katie Karppala.

  
  

• Conversations in Christ Special Session with author Sue Campbell: Sunday, March 1, 10:15-11:00 a.m., Bethany Room. On March 1, we’re delighted to welcome local author Sue Campbell for a special Q&A session about her book Conversations in Heaven (available on Amazon). The story follows five very different individuals who die at the same moment and find themselves together in an anteroom of Heaven, guided by an Archangel named Wisdom. Through their conversations, the book explores life, faith, and what may await beyond. We invite you to read the book and join us. We hope you’ll be part of this thoughtful and engaging discussion! Click here to RSVP.

• Evensong in Honor of St. David’s Day: Sunday, March 1, 5:00 p.m. Join us for a beautiful Episcopal Evensong as we celebrate St. David’s Day, honoring our patron saint. Rooted in the rich tradition of Anglican worship, this choral service of Evening Prayer offers soaring music, reflective scripture, and ancient prayers in a peaceful setting. As we give thanks for the faith and witness of St. David, we gather in community for a time of inspiration, beauty, and quiet renewal. All are welcome to experience this timeless service of music and prayer featuring the St. David’s Choir directed by Mason Copeland.

• Lenten Morning Reflection: Saturday, March 8, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sponsored by St. David’s DOK. Men and Women of St. David’s are invited to gather for a morning of meditation and reflection. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Click here for more information or to RSVP. To help us in planning, RSVPs are requested, but not required.

HOLY WEEK

The final week before Easter is called Holy Week and is the most important and meaningful week of the church year. It is the week when Christians remember the last days of Jesus’ life, his death, and his resurrection. It begins with joy on Palm Sunday, moves through some very serious moments, and ends with great celebration.

St. David’s offers a variety of worship opportunities throughout the week as we remember and reflect on the final days of Jesus’ life. We invite you to join us on this meaningful journey as we prepare our hearts for the joy and celebration of Easter.

For more information and to sign up for any of these opportunities, please go to www.stdavidchurch.org.