February, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Lent the Church of the Holy Spirit is focusing on the study of hunger. We are not going to do a thing about hunger (the doing comes with Easter). We are simply going to take some time to hear what scripture says about Hunger: Physical, Spiritual, and Mental. I encourage you to join us in this journey.

We also have the privilege of having Jill Oettinger, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Center; join us on Sunday, February 21, as our guest preacher. You can learn more about everything that is going on during Lent through our website.

The other day, I took time to go to the Witte Museum to begin walking through the exhibit, Hunger: Portraits and Stories of hunger and Resilience. When I first began listening to the voices of the people in the photographs, I thought, this is going to take a long time! I heard the story of Judy, Pepper, Patty, Joesette, Marian and Carnelious. I left there with the pictures and voices of each one of the people in my mind. Hunger, while something that not many of us have truly experienced (including myself), changed each one of these people. And their stories echo through my mind.

As part of our journey though Lent, we will visit the Witte Museum twice. The first time we will go with the Tuesday Bible study on March 9th. It is also free Tuesday at the Witte! The next time that we go will be Sunday, March 21st, for a 2:00 conversation and tour with the photographer. The Witte is offering us a special price of admission. $5 includes admission to the museum as well as to the special exhibit on dinosaurs.

During Lent, I also encourage you to take advantage of the Lenten Devotional, prepared by Alfredo Castillo, with little reflections written by members and friends of the Church of the Holy Spirit. This devotional will be available at church as well as on the church�s website.

You are invited to keep a holy Lent. In the midst of keep this Lent holy, remember those also who do not have the freedom to study hunger but are forced to live it.

Faithfully,

Jason