And so it is: Into Lent we go, praying for clarity about the truth of life, including that Truth that will ultimately lead us to resurrection. This is a good and true season, friends. Enter it with hope for the soul and hope for the world.
How will you mark this time? Some take on special devotions that set the time aside. I’ve got a book on Holy Saturday that I’ve saved for this season. Susan and I will eat more simply remembering the hungry. We’ll suspend our glasses of wine for a different intoxication by living water.
Gathered in Synod Assembly last June we pledged our support as a synodical church to the Anti-Malaria Campaign of the ELCA. Might this effort to eradicate a deadly disease form part of your discipline as a family and as a congregation?
Your synod council representative for the cluster has malaria net for your congregation. Might your family take on the challenge of putting it up as a display in your narthex? The most effective way I’ve seen this done is to put a cot up and then suspend the malaria net over it so that even the smallest children can understand how this net protects children from malaria carrying mosquitoes. There’s plenty of information that will come with the net, explaining how our church is involved in this effort. If your Lenten offerings haven’t been designated yet, this might be an appropriate place to offer them. You might bring your offerings to the Synod Assembly in April and we’ll combine them and establish for ourselves how generous our church can be. I still remember how it was just eight little pills that cured our Mary Emily of Malaria in 2002 during our visit to the companion synod in Tanzania. This is a disease we can address through nets, clean water, education and health care. Blessed Lent, however you shape it.
And on a personal note: Thanks very much for all your expressions of compassion and love at the death of my brother Scott Douglas Wells. Scott came to live with us in October and spent the last three months in the hospital and rehab trying to fight off mouth cancer and the equally deadly infections that come with treatment. Scott died in the faith, anointed with our fragrant olive oil and under the words of the church’s commendation and blessing. His ashes will be spread on the Kenai River this summer, the place he loved to fish. Thank you for your love.
Some have asked how they might memorialize Scott. I invite your gifts and support for Lutheran Community Services. This is the compassionate arm of our church that meets people on the street when other resources are exhausted. The Northeast office is at 210 W Sprague, Spokane, 99201.
Pastor Martin Wells
Bishop
