Dear Ones of St. Columba's,

In my work teaching Congregational and Organization Development for the past decade, I often find myself in conversations with other priests and lay leaders about how to lead or support intentional change. There is a big difference, most of us would agree, between reacting to a change, responding to a change and planning a change. This is true for organizational systems and it is also true for individuals. Reaction is often quick, defensive, and instinct driven. Response is intentional and thought out, even if the thing being responded to was not solicited. And finally planning for change is the most intentional and controlled way to do it, something leaders can do only when we have the luxury of time in which to anticipate what might happen.

Change itself, however? Well, you can react to it, respond to it, or plan for it, but what none of us can do is stop it. Change is inevitable.

It might be easy to forget that change is inevitable, right this moment, when life for many of us feels a lot like running on a hamster wheel. The days are long and the weeks are short and I have had about five people in the past week tell me that they aren't exactly sure what day it is. 

It might also feel like there is nothing but change right now, in our world that is still working on how to respond well to all that has hit us, since this time last year.

One of the reasons I love our church year is that it gives us moments to pause, and to increase our level of intention. Lent, which starts this coming Wednesday, is one of these opportunities. It is a set-aside time, 40 days not counting Sundays, in which you are invited to become more intentional about your life as a Christian person. Some folks choose to increase intentionality around food or caffeine or alcohol, usually by forgoing or decreasing their use. These are great options. Others take on new spiritual practices, which is usually more my style, to be honest. One year I took a yoga class for Lent. Another year I chose to be more intentional about cleaning my kitchen. 

This year, it already feels like we have given up a lot. So let's not think about Lent as something that takes away comfort or joy or even chocolate, if chocolate is a thing that helps you make it through the day. Instead let's think of Lent as a chance to increase how intentional we are about living, loving, praying, and connecting. If giving up coffee feels punishing, please don't do it. But if giving up coffee helps you move more prayerfully and intentionally through your morning and your day - have at it, friend. 

This year I want to connect more intentionally during Lent. I hope to spend more time reading in the evenings instead of watching TV, as a way of connecting with my own thoughts and feelings. I plan to seek out zoom conversations, phone calls, or socially distanced walks with friends and family, instead of using a quick text or messaging app to reassure myself that the connection is still there. And I hope to find one or two ways to pray more intentionally as well, to nurture my connection to God. 

I hope you see Lent as the opportunity that the season is - an opportunity to increase your intention, and discover what good transformative change God is planning, for you.

I look forward to this journey with you!

with care and gratitude,

Alissa