On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, we entered the penitential season of Lent.  In our Lenten scripture lessons we will hear the invitation of God to us during this 40-day journey:  Return to me, and I will return to you. 

St. Helena's has chosen Restless Wandering as our theme for Lent in 2021.  Scripture records many restless wanderings.  Abraham, Moses, the Israelites, Jesus, and Paul all wandered restlessly at different times.  We too are wanderers.  Our minds wander.  Pandemic restrictions have made us restless.  We err and stray from God like lost sheep. 

Scripture also records that not all wandering is bad.  Moses encountered God in the burning bush, Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, and Paul planted new Christian communities while wandering.

St. Augustine wrote "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee."  This Lent we invite you to embrace some practices of restless wandering. 

Below, we outline some opportunities for this.  If you have wandered away from keeping the Sabbath day or regular worship, we invite you to wander back.  We invite you to wander into one of our small group or online studies.  We invite you to connect physical health and spiritual health through pilgrimage walking.  We invite you to turn off your phone and wander in God's creation. 

Returning to the Lord involves restless wanderings; going to new places; trying new habits; looking for God in the midst of daily life.  What will you do to keep a holy Lent this year?

• Thursday - Morning Men's Bible Study
  The Men's Bible Study will focus on the Gospel of Mark beginning 2/25 in the Parish Hall at 7:30 a.m.  Fr. David will present the intro and context to kick off this study.  Bring a cup of coffee and an inquiring mind.  Questions may be directed to Ron Tribo.
• Tuesday - Richard Rohr Study
  Beginning 2/23 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 1 Cindy Glick will lead a 5-week study on Richard Rohr's recent publication, Embracing an Alternative Orthodoxy.  Rohr, a Franciscan friar and renowned spiritual teacher, will invite you "to explore a Christian faith informed by contemplation, mysticism, compassion, justice and centuries of rich Christian history." If you have any questions, reach out to Cindy.
• Wednesday - For Women: Beth Moore Galatians Study
  Beginning 2/24 at 6:00 p.m. in Annex West, Amy Purcell will lead a 6-week study of Galatians, using Beth Moore's latest publication Now That Faith Has Come.  Moore's study on Galatians invites women to find freedom and hope in Paul's ancient words.  Contact Amy if you're interested so that she can prepare a workbook for you!
• Wednesday - Holy Encounters Then & Now
  Scripture records many stories of holy encounters, events, and conversations at specific locations.  These locations include wells, gardens, mountaintops, shorelines, and roads.  Fr. David & Fr. Brian will explore these holy encounters and how God still meets people in these same locations today.  The 5-week series will be broadcast on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. beginning 2/24.  Access the series here..