Dear Beloveds,
As we approach the season of Lent, I am once again anticipating our shared journey into the desert. As you begin to plan your Lenten discipline, and or programming, I invite you to consider this year’s Lent to Easter Devotional produced by the Communities for Spiritual Vitality.
This year, the devotional centers on the Sermon on the Mount — Jesus’ inaugural speech and vision for us as a beloved community. The devotional focuses on the text from the Book of Matthew and features individual reflections from our siblings of all seven Episcopal dioceses in New England, as well as artwork from Christian artists. The reflections begin on Ash Wednesday and continue through the Second Sunday of Easter.
It is designed for adult formation and is a free formation opportunity available to you this Lent. There are a number of ways to engage with the devotional as an individual or in community.
Individuals can read the Sermon and engage with the daily reflections in prayer or meditation. You may also engage with the reflections on social media, or use them as a jumping off point for your own writing and reflection on the sermon.
New this year, you can also elect to receive each day’s devotion directly to your email inbox. Sign up here
Congregations may use the devotional in their own Lenten programming by forming a small group at your church or in your community to discuss the Sermon and use the devotional to guide your discussions.
Lastly, the Green Mountain Online Abbey will host a seven-week formation series using the devotional on Thursdays in Lent: February 19, February 26, March 5, March 12, March 19, and March 26. The final session during Holy Week will be held on Wednesday April 1. Each Thursday from 6 to 7:45 p.m., anyone may join the Abbey to reflect on the devotional and discuss the Sermon in more depth. This time of formation and community will be followed by compline at 8 p.m. I hope you will join me in this opportunity for each of us to strengthen our discipleship, which ultimately strengthens the church allowing us to be and build beloved community.
The devotional is available now for you to review. I hope that you will join me on the Mount this Lent.
Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Shannon
