Invitation to a Holy Lent

Since the very beginning, Christians have used the weeks leading up to Easter as a time to prepare our hearts, minds, and lives for what God is doing in the resurrection. People keep the holy season of Lent in many ways: by learning and reflecting, by offering and embracing forgiveness, by letting go of what weighs us down and taking on new ways that help us turn back to God, and by stretching to be generous to those in need.We invite you, therefore, to the observance of a holy Lent. This is a journey we take together, and we are offering new ways to practice it together at Church of the Resurrection this year. Grace and peace to you as we step forward into the unknown together. Know that you are deeply loved — by God and by your church family — and know that you belong here in this community.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper — March 4th, 5:30 – 7:00pm

Come and enjoy hot pancakes, bacon, and all the fixings as we share a Mardi Gras feast with our church community in the Parish Hall. Invite your family and friends for a warm meal and welcoming conversation.  As our meal draws to a close, we’ll gather out on the patio to burn the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday (you are welcome to bring yours back if you still have them!) which will make the ash we use the next day as we enter into Lent. We welcome donations of $10 per person or $25 per family; all proceeds will go to support the Hillcrest Food Pantry. Thanks to our men’s group for hosting what is always a delightful event!

Ash Wednesday — March 5th

We will hold services at 11:00am and 7:00pm on Ash Wednesday. Both will include Holy Eucharist and the imposition of ashes. The 11am service will be quieter and spoken; the 7pm service will include music.

The Catechism: Adult Formation during Lent — Sundays at 9:10am

The late comedian Robin Williams once shared his Top 10 Reasons for Being an Episcopalian—a witty and heartfelt list that captured the openness, tradition, and humor of our faith. Among his insights:
– You can believe in dinosaurs.
– Church year is color-coded.
– No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.
Williams’ humor resonates and points to the deeper truths of the Episcopal Church—our rich history, thoughtful theology, and commitment to inclusion and tradition. If you’ve ever wondered, Why do we do what we do? or What makes the Episcopal Church unique?, join us for our upcoming Adult Forum series, where we’ll explore the history, beliefs, and practices that shape our faith. This class is called “Catechism,” a churchy word that describes a course of study consisting of a summary of the principles of our faith in the form of questions and answers. Whether you’re a lifelong Episcopalian or new to the tradition, this is a space for questions, conversation, and discovery. Come laugh, learn, and deepen your understanding of what it means to be an Episcopalian! Join us Sundays February 23 through April 6 at 9am in the Parish Hall. All are welcome, either to drop in for one class, or to come to the whole series.

Mid-Week Chapel for Lent — Wednesdays at 11:00am

All are invited to join in the Holy Eucharist at 11:00am on Wednesdays. We will continue to gather for this important mid-week reset as we carve a bit of time out of our busy lives to refocus on our spiritual selves and turn back to God once more. It’s an intimate service: we pull our chairs into a circle, share in reading the lessons, and join in conversation in place of a sermon. It lasts about an hour.

Lenten Evening Series — Practices for Resurrected Life

We’ll be gathering in the Parish Hall from 6:30 – 8:00pm on four Tuesdays, March 11, 18, 25, and April 1. We’ll start with some simple finger food and time to settle in together, and then we’ll welcome different speakers from around the Bay Area each week. Our theme for the series takes inspiration from Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” We’ll be looking at ways those early Christians tried to live in the light of the resurrection, and we will be exploring what it might look like for us to reach for the same through all the uncertainty of our own day. After our presenters speak, there will be time for reflection and discussion, and we’ll close the evening by praying compline together.

Lenten Meditation and Contemplation

On Wednesdays March 12th, 19th, and 26th and April 2nd from 10:00 – 10:50am in our Parish Hall, Carol Held will be leading us through some meditative practices. Carol has been leading these types of gatherings for many years in the community where she blends meditation and art in wondrous ways. No artistic skills required! Come and join us and give yourself a gift of time to slow your heart rate, settle your racing thoughts, and create some sacred space in the midst of your busy life.

Lenten Food & Baby Supplies Drive

Throughout Lent, we are delighted to support the amazing mission of the Hillcrest Food Pantry and Layette Program, which are carried out at our neighboring church just across the street. Both programs serve our local community with care, dignity, generosity, and love, and many people rely on them. Please bring non-perishable foods and new baby items to church, or make a check out to Resurrection with “Hillcrest” in the memo line, which will help them buy milk, eggs, and other perishables to give out. Please remember that the food pantry does not accept used baby items or expired canned foods.