An Invitation to a Holy Lent
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance...
As we approach this season of Lent, many organizations offer resources to help guide our journey.
Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent and Easter
From the office of the Presiding Bishop, the updated and expanded Way of Love resources for Lent and Easter are available online and include a series of adult forums, a quiet day curriculum, a poster, and a daily calendar. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Episcopal Relief & Development Lenten Meditations
A 2020 book of Lenten meditations supports Episcopal Relief & Development’s One Thousand Days of Love campaign and focuses on the spiritual lives of children. Materials are available online in English and Spanish.
Living Well Through Lent 2020
Living Compass’ daily Lenten devotional is designed for individual reflection and group study. The booklet features reflections from t he Very Rev. Dominic Barrington, the Rev. Heidi Haverkamp, and the Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner and is a vailable in print and electronic editions with a downloadable facilitator guide and a closed Facebook discussion group. Members of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago may order complimentary copies using the code LENT2020. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Signs of Life: Why Church Matters
The Society of St. John the Evangelist and Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary have collaborated on a Lenten resource, Signs of Life: Why Church Matters. The free 5-week offering includes videos, facilitation guides and a calendar that encourages Episcopalians to explore our liturgy, sacraments, art and architecture.
United Thank Offering 2020 Devotional Calendar
In its third year, the United Thank Offering (UTO) Devotional Calendar offers an opportunity for daily reflection and encourages daily contributions using the UTO Blue Box.
Lent Madness
Loosely based on the wildly popular NCAA basketball tournament, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against one another in a single-elimination bracket as they compete for the coveted Golden Halo.
