This week starts the Lenten season for the Christian church calendar. Valentine’s Day, February 14, is Ash Wednesday and Christians throughout the world will be reminded of their immortality by having the sign of the cross in ashes places on their foreheads. During the 40 days of Lent, we’re asked to spend some time in self-reflection, and many people “take on” or “give up” something to mark the 40-day season; fasting is also a traditional practice for some.
The Church of the Holy Spirit, 36 Gould Street in Verona, has a range of worship services and events for the season that leads up to Holy Week and the joy of Easter. Here is what is in store:
Ash Wednesday
- Ashes-To-Go on Gould Street at 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Eucharist at 12 p.m. and Evening Prayer at 7 p.m.
- Sunday School Meet-Up at 3:30pm.
Worship
- Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel, Quiet Eucharist (a third Sunday option)
- Sundays at 11:45 a.m. the Spiritual Enrichment Group gathers using the SALT Project’s Wendell Berry and the Sabbath Poetry of Lent.
- Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. a simple supper will be served followed by a 7 p.m. worship service; this is being shared with Christ Church Bloomfield/Glen Ridge and Epiphany and Christ Church Orange. The supper/service will be at Holy Spirit Verona on Wednesday, February 21 and Wednesday, March 13.
Other Lenten Activities
- Lent Madness, which has people selecting their favorite saints each day. For more information visit lentmadness.org.
- Parishioners are also making “Soup for the Soul” once again (mostly meatless) which will be sold for $10 a container in March.
- “40 Days 40 Items” Food Drive for the Holy Spirit Verona Food Pantry. Boxes are available to pick up at the church or download flyers to make your own box. All donated items should be dropped off before Palm Sunday, March 24, so that they can be blessed during the 10 a.m. worship service.
For information on any or all of these Lenten events, email Father Jerry, rector, at [email protected] or Reverend Katherine, curate, at [email protected].
