I'm always struck by the creative tension of Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, followed so quickly by Ash Wednesday. There are two sets of emotions that share in common a certain intensity of feelings. Shrove Tuesday at St. Andrew's was a rollicking good time (thanks Fellowship Committee), with plenty of pancakes and condiments that ranged from healthy (berries) to enough chocolate to simply make us happy. We acted out "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," laughing with one another, learning about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday.
On Ash Wednesday, there was a quiet solemnity brought to our worship at both 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Maybe it was the candle, the music, the overall atmosphere of the group. As Jeremy quoted Nadia Bolz-Weber, Ash Wednesday doe not bring forth a grand celebration of special cakes and cookies, clothes accessories, or display window ornamentation. At St. Andrew's, we began our Lent with a sense of purposefulness, using this time to reflect, ponder, and search within ourselves and the world around us the presence and the meaning of following Jesus more closely.
Pastor Brett
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