Ken Edwards, Senior Pastor

It is the season of prayer, spiritual discipline, self-reflection, and repentance. We avoid many of these things like we avoid looking in the mirror when we’ve let ourselves go. We don’t want to face the reality about ourselves—that we desperately need an intentional season to regroup and get our spiritual lives back on track.
    
The season of Lent is focused on the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. The Sundays are considered days of celebrating the Resurrection and do not figure into the Lenten equation. Lent reminds us of our humanity, our deep need for God, and our longing to be in covenant with God. The number 40 is an important number and is a measure of time found throughout the stories of scripture, but we begin the Lenten journey with the story of Jesus in the wilderness, fasting for 40 days and tempted by the devil. We need these 40 days to prepare our hearts for a meaningful relationship with God and for preparation for the Easter celebration.
    
During this season, I invite you to participate in many of the opportunities that are offered at Belmont. We have small-group experiences on Wednesday nights using Pam Hawkins’ book, The Awkward Season.You might choose to participate in one of the 100 mission opportunities suggested by our Centennial Committee during this 100th anniversary of Belmont UMC. Creative persons might choose to focus on building one of the Stations of the Cross used during our Holy Week observance. We can make a donation to the Lenten offering to support the Oliver family that is in ministry in Malawi, Africa. Or add one new spiritual discipline to each day. Whatever you choose, may you find moments of grace and restoration on the Lenten journey.