Pastoral note, from Garrett

Happy Spring Break to those who celebrate. The sun is shining, the traffic is light, and there is a change in the air. 

Sunday was also the first Sunday of Lent— a season to mark and consider the changes we need to make in our lives as we prepare for Easter’s resurrection. 

Our theme for this Lent is “Rhiz” (which sounds like “Rise”).  A rhizome is a horizontal, underground plant stem that produces roots and shoots— like ginger or water lilies. I mentioned on Ash Wednesday that rhizomes are incredibly generative. Each connection can begin something new. In that way, rhizomes are not so much determined by their past, but by the future the earth provides. I think that’s a promising vision for a good Lent. 

The students (aka youth group) are meeting at Hardberger Park this Friday at 10 a.m. Bring a ball or frisbee, but leave your firecrackers at home. 

I’ll be across the pond this week. Cameron and I are going on a quick adventure to England. We’re going to do some sightseeing in London and then explore the Cotswolds. 

Milton Lewis will preach this Sunday. He and his wife Sallie joined Woodland earlier this year. Milton is a retired United Methodist pastor who was the pastor of Northern Hills UMC for years. In fact, he led the church through significant growth, including moving to a new location on 1604. But here’s the secret: He grew up in a Baptist church and even attended a Baptist seminary. You will not want to miss this Sunday. 

Coming this Lent, we will do a live reading of the Gospel of Mark on March 30. The shortest and first-written gospel is best heard in one sitting. When you read it all together or hear it all at once, you better understand how it all fits together. The reading will take about 30-35 minutes. 

Grace and peace,
Garrett Vickrey