Lenten Awakenings

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Lenten Awakenings

By Pennsylvania Southeast Conference UCC

Date and time

February 22, 2015 · 7:30pm - March 26, 2015 · 9:30pm EST

Location

Various Dates and Locations

Description

The cover article in the Jan 11 issue of PARADE was entitled The #1 Health Booster in 2015 - Politicians, Children and Celebrities are doing it -Shouldn't You?. I paged through to find what I expected to be the latest health craze. Instead, I found an ancient spiritual discipline that is now being re-discovered as valuable for our well being: meditation. The article refers to "mindfulness," which can literally change your brain, "anxiety-busting," and "attention-boosting." In the world of spiritual formation, these are not new ideas. Meditation has long been a prominent prayer practice among those desiring a deeper connection and experience of God. It makes 100% sense to me, that it would also be considered a "health booster" in today's world.

Over the years, I have found that many of the practices which are part of our Judeo-Christian tradition are being re-discovered outside of the church. I believe this is one way God is trying to "wake us up" to the gifts and graces embedded in our faith, which have become side-tracked over the years. Spiritual practices open the window for an experience of the holy.

During Lent, the PSEC Spiritual Life Mission Team sponsors the Lenten Awakenings series at various locations throughout the Conference, giving folks opportunities to deepen their spiritual journeys. Our focus book is: Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. It is a true spiritual classic, and remains TIMELY in a world yearning to connect with the holy. Celebration addresses inward, outward, and corporate disciplines. In reference to Celebration, D. Elton Trueblood writes, "There are many books concerned with the inner life, but there are not many that combine real originality with intellectual integrity."

Lenten Awakenings will be hosted in 4 different locations: Glenside UCC in Glenside, Maidencreek Church in Blandon, St. Luke’s UCC in Ottsville, and Luke's UCC in Trappe. To learn more (dates, times, etc.) and to register online, visit psec.org. This year participants are asked to purchase their own book (Possible Resources include: Hearts and Minds Bookstore, or Amazon). Though there is no fee, please register to help leaders in preparation.

When you register, you give your permission to use your photo for the purpose of telling the story of Pennsylvania Southeast Conference on the website or in video, newsletter and social media posts. If you are opposed to having your picture taken and possibly used in this way, please let us know by contacting the PSEC office at: marge@psec.org including your name and your email and phone contact information.

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Pennsylvania Southeast Conference is the United Church of Christ (UCC) in southeastern Pennsylvania. We are 159 congregations, open and welcoming to all people, with an extravagant welcome for you! Although our faith is 2,000 years old, our thinking is not. We are a church committed to justice, equality, healing, and peace... a church where 'God is still speaking'! So, no matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!

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