Lent and Easter
A gathering of features and other resources centered on the Lenten season. Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a period of 40 days, not including Sundays, that precede Easter.
He Never Gives Up: Passion/Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009
by Jerri and Bill Savuto
A few weeks ago during lunchtime, my husband and I heard what sounded like a marching band. ... In seven years of serving at Maua Methodist Hospital in Maua, Kenya, we had never seen or heard a band. Read more ...
Debby and the Wrestler: Holy Thursday, April 9, 2009
by Andrew Highland
I recently saw the new movie, "The Wrestler." In the movie, Mickey Rourke stars as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a professional wrestler who was very successful and popular in the 1980s but whose glory days are now long gone. Randy seems to be unable to imagine a different kind of life for himself, and so he continues to wrestle, trying to live the kind of life he lived as a celebrity. Read more ...
Taking Up the Cross Holy Thursday: April 9, 2009
by Kendra Dunbar
Peter, like so many of us, was trying to remain cautiously faithful. He wanted to protect Christ, he did not want him to be humiliated and killed. Often we want to stop moving forward and come up with a safe plan, risk the least, and be happy with the results. Read more ...
The Stone Moves Another Inch: Good Friday, April 10, 2009
by Sarah Martindell
I work in a United Methodist Mission Institute that houses a food pantry. One day in the lobby of our food pantry, I was handing out newsletters to people after they got their bag of groceries. I watched the clients talking with each other as they gathered up their belongings. One couple said, "We're living out of our car right now." Read more ...
The Wounded Healer: Good Friday: April 10, 2009
by Greg Little
The Lenten season's remembrance of the crucifixion and resurrection are the essence of the Christian faith. For me, this time also represents the culmination of a life fulfilled in mission, reaching out to all humanity with a love beyond ourselves, and working for justice. Read more ...
Ecumenical Water Network suggests ideas for prayer and action during Lent
World Council of Churches:
As the season of Lent draws near, the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) invites Christians to mark the occasion with reflection and action on water justice. Read more ...
Lenten Reflections for 2008
Lenten reflections for 2008 from the the General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Women.
Seeing Jesus' Face
Easter Evening
by Haniel R. Garibay
"Prestige" is a movie about two rival stage magicians trying to outdo each other with the perfect "disappearing act." In Luke's story of the walk to Emmaus, Jesus disappeared in front of two disciples right after breaking the bread with them. Read more ...
'I Have Seen The Lord!'
Easter Greetings 2008
From the Directors, Missionaries, and Staff of the General Board of Global Ministries.
Jesus, the Christ, crucified and resurrected, is with us in our joys and in our suffering. Where will we experience him? Read more ...
Re-clothed at Easter: Recollection and Promise
by Elliott Wright, Global Ministries
Easter when I was a child growing up in a series of North Alabama parsonages was a thoroughly religious celebration centered in the church. One of few concessions to cultural practice was permission to dye, hide, and hunt eggs. My sister and I could display the eggs in small baskets held over from year to year but were expected to eat them, or return them for kitchen use, before they spoiled. We were never heard anything at home about the Easter Bunny and we received no stuffed Easter animals, colored chicks, or chocolate rabbits. Read more ...
