By Saundra Johnson
After some discussion with Epworth lay leaders, Pastor Steve proposed creating an Epworth Lenten Devotional like the ones Epworthians created in the past.
As she did for the 2019 Epworth Devotional (Faith, Hope, Love: These Three), Shirley Durr hopes to be involved with putting together the 2021 Devotional.
“Considering we spent most of 2020 physically apart from each other,” she said, “and the trauma of COVID in our world, political turmoil in our country, and racial unrest in our neighborhood – I think people must have lots to share.”
Pastor Steve is ready to accept whatever personal reflection people want to send for Devotional 2021 and other church leaders, like Judy Ayers, agreed.
Shirley said people were especially moved by the words and art from the children and youth that appeared in the 2019 Devotional. These received the most meaningful. attention and comment during Lenten Study time that year.
But without Children’s Class and Youth Group gatherings taking place on a regular basis, a lot will depend on families to encourage and support their children and youth to submit something.
“Lent may be a season of lament,” Shirley said, “but there’s also a great deal of celebration and the promise of Easter in there, too. I hope to see this range of response in this year’s Devotional.”
What appears in Epworth devotionals is not limited to what members of Epworth write or create. In the past Epworth included quotes and works from professional authors and artists. Devotional 2019 included devotions from people as far away as Florida who never even heard of Epworth.
Nan Rice hopes the families at the Toy Library and renters -- like the theater groups, TGIF, and members of Greater Hope COGIC -- also are willing to add something to Epworth’s latest Devotional.
What you write can be as short or as long as you like. Art and photography just has to be original unless you’re reflecting on something someone else created. You can also make more than one submission.
If you want to join this Lenten journey, the deadline is February 7. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is February 17.
Email your contribution to Pastor Steve <pastorsteveepworth@gmail.com> OR mail to Epworth UMC, 3207 37th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406.
“The road to enlightenment is long and difficult, and you should try not to forget snacks and magazines.”
~ Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith
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