Oh, the weather outside (finally) is frightful, as the song says. Following a semi-tropical Christmas and Epiphany season, the end of January has brought some frigid weather to Brooklyn. Even as some of the older windows in the parsonage allow a bit of the great outdoors indoors on windy days, I have been warmed by the delightful workings of the spirit around the congregation.

Our Epiphany focus on Lutheran Missions Around the World seems to have born some wonderful fruit. As we’ve learned about the Augusta Victoria Hospital in Palestine, our Companion Synod in Tanzania, the ONE Lutheran Campaign to Make Poverty History, and our Reconciling-In-Christ mission (ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services are still to come), the heat has slowly been turned up on some great ideas cooking in our parish.

Emma Vizzini and the Sunday School have decided to sponsor an ELCA Missionary family in Madagascar (details here). Pastor emeritus Richard Miller will offer a five-week Lenten series on “Disciples and Discipleship” for the Adult and Older Youth Bible Class (details here). There is a new church directory in the offing (details here), so we can all get to know one another better, especially our newer members.

As we approach the season of Lent, many of us will decide to enhance our faith journey by making a promise to God regarding our activity during that season of preparation. Traditionally, many people give something up for Lent. While this can be a faith-affirming act, there is also an inherent challenge: the idea that we need to give something up during Lent might inadvertently imply that, for the remainder of the year, we need not be as mindful of our faith, need not be quite so attentive to our baptismal vocation as disciples of the risen Christ.

In the light of our focus on mission and discipleship, I want to propose a Lenten alternative. As we prepare for Lent this year, let’s not ask, “What am I going to give up?” Rather, ask yourself, “What am I going to take up for Lent?” What mission, what activity of faithful discipleship, might you take up, take responsibility for, this Lent?

Christ calls us into the world, beckons us to go out and share the warm, good news with all people, wherever they be, far away, or close to home. The fire (of the Spirit) is so delightful. Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow…

Pr. Parsons