Celtic Connections
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Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday this year is March 2nd and we will be providing multiple ways to get ashes! We will have two services, one at noon and one at 7pm, where you can come and worship and get your ashes. We will be live-streaming the 7pm service for those who are want to join us from home. We will also have drive-up ashes available for people to come and grab from 1-2pm and 6-7pm for you to get your ashes on the go. Want to join us for Ash Wednesday from home but unable to make it to the the times for the drive-up ashes? We will mail you your ashes free of charge! Just follow the link below and fill out the information before the 24th to get yours. |
Connecting with Celtic Saints
Join Pastor Scott Dunfee in the Adult Faith Development offered during the season of Lent. " Connecting with Celtic Saints" is a class where we'll learn a little about each Saint, read and discuss excerpts from their writings, applying them to our own faith journey, and end our time with a scripture and prayer.
The class meets in the Library from 10:30-11am on the following days.
March 5- St. Patrick of Ireland, 385-461 AD
March 13- No Class (St. Patrick and St. Brigid Celebration)
March 20- St. Brigid of Kildare, 453-525 AD
March 27- St. Columba of Iona, 521-597 AD
April 3- St. David of Wales, 520-601 AD
April 10- St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, 634-687AD
The class meets in the Library from 10:30-11am on the following days.
March 5- St. Patrick of Ireland, 385-461 AD
March 13- No Class (St. Patrick and St. Brigid Celebration)
March 20- St. Brigid of Kildare, 453-525 AD
March 27- St. Columba of Iona, 521-597 AD
April 3- St. David of Wales, 520-601 AD
April 10- St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, 634-687AD
Lent Midweek GatheringWe will be hosting a midweek service every Wednesday through Lent. The service will be a Holden Evening Prayer style service and include prerecorded music provided by Adam, Helen, and the Choir. This service will be live streamed.
Due to current COVID safety protocols we will not be hosting a pre-service meal time. Instead we encourage you all to take the time to eat and fellowship with those in your bubble either before or after joining us for the services. |
ELCA Lenten Study Guide
“Now is the Time” is a new study guide that helps congregations wrestle with the meaning of “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent.” The study guide and accompanying participant materials stress realism, self-examination, and accountability as the church apologizes for its complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States." Follow the link here.
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Worship throughout Lent
The Transfiguration of Our Lord, Feb 27-- Luke 9:28-36(37-43a)
While not part of the Lenten Season, the Transfiguration is a bridge between the Epiphany Season and Lent, and the story lends itself beautifully to introducing the Celtic concept of “Thin Places”--which can/will be referenced multiple times during the Lenten Season. A great way to invite and lead us into the journey of Lent.
Ash Wednesday, March 2-- Luke 9:18-24 "Celtic Cross"
As we begin Lent by being marked with the sign of the cross made with ashes, the unique characteristics of the Celtic Cross, can add meaning to this experience and to the Lenten journey.
Lent 1, March 6-- Luke 4:1-13 “Celtic Spirit”
The story of the Temptation of Jesus begins with “The Spirit” leading Jesus into “the wilderness”. The Celtic image for the Holy Spirit is not a “dove” , as in the story of Jesus' Baptism—which comes just before the temptation. The Celts use the image of “The Wild Goose” for the Spirit. There is much to explore about that image that can help lead us through our “wilderness” times!
Lent 2, March 13, and our Celebration of St. Patrick--Luke 13:31-35. “Celtic Compassion”
As Jesus “wept over Jerusalem”, longing to gather people “as a Mother Hen gathers her chicks under her wings”, so Patrick felt for the people of Ireland. Patrick's story and the Celtic Mission illustrate/incarnate the passion/compassion of Christ and a different way to do evangelism.
Lent 3, March 2--Luke 13:1-9 “Celtic Grace”
For the Celts, grace is made manifest in creation—especially in the image of trees--a very Hebrew/Biblical concept, as well. Jesus tells the story of a barren “fig tree” in which a “the Gardener” intervenes and advocates, “Let it alone one more year. See if it bears fruit then!” Such grace . . . always there is grace . . . “Amazing Grace”--a hymn dear to the Celts!
Lent 4, March 27-- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 “Celtic Friendship”
Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal, his angry sibling and their Crazy Parent. It's all about relationships, connections. The Celts have a special term for the connection between true friends-- “Anam Cara”-- “Friends of the Soul”. . . and Jesus is the “Lover of our Souls”.
Lent 5, April 3-- John 12:1-8 “Celtic Women”
The story of “Mary” anointing Jesus, models for Jesus what he will then do for disciples at the Last Supper. In the Celtic tradition, women are equals and have leadership roles in the Church and community. This story will be a very important set up/connection to make to Maundy Thursday and the anointing we will do as part of that service during Holy Week.
Palm Sunday, April 10—Luke 19:28-40, 41-48 “Celtic Dance”
One way to describe Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and then his cleansing of the Temple, is “theater” --political theater, drama and even dance. It's a “dance” he does with the religious and political leaders and the people. The Spirit is dancing all around these events and through out Holy Week. Dance is an important component of Celtic culture and Spirituality—and an image for the Spiritual journey. No Celtic hymn better embraces the Passion than “Lord of the Dance”! Hosanna!
While not part of the Lenten Season, the Transfiguration is a bridge between the Epiphany Season and Lent, and the story lends itself beautifully to introducing the Celtic concept of “Thin Places”--which can/will be referenced multiple times during the Lenten Season. A great way to invite and lead us into the journey of Lent.
Ash Wednesday, March 2-- Luke 9:18-24 "Celtic Cross"
As we begin Lent by being marked with the sign of the cross made with ashes, the unique characteristics of the Celtic Cross, can add meaning to this experience and to the Lenten journey.
Lent 1, March 6-- Luke 4:1-13 “Celtic Spirit”
The story of the Temptation of Jesus begins with “The Spirit” leading Jesus into “the wilderness”. The Celtic image for the Holy Spirit is not a “dove” , as in the story of Jesus' Baptism—which comes just before the temptation. The Celts use the image of “The Wild Goose” for the Spirit. There is much to explore about that image that can help lead us through our “wilderness” times!
Lent 2, March 13, and our Celebration of St. Patrick--Luke 13:31-35. “Celtic Compassion”
As Jesus “wept over Jerusalem”, longing to gather people “as a Mother Hen gathers her chicks under her wings”, so Patrick felt for the people of Ireland. Patrick's story and the Celtic Mission illustrate/incarnate the passion/compassion of Christ and a different way to do evangelism.
Lent 3, March 2--Luke 13:1-9 “Celtic Grace”
For the Celts, grace is made manifest in creation—especially in the image of trees--a very Hebrew/Biblical concept, as well. Jesus tells the story of a barren “fig tree” in which a “the Gardener” intervenes and advocates, “Let it alone one more year. See if it bears fruit then!” Such grace . . . always there is grace . . . “Amazing Grace”--a hymn dear to the Celts!
Lent 4, March 27-- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 “Celtic Friendship”
Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal, his angry sibling and their Crazy Parent. It's all about relationships, connections. The Celts have a special term for the connection between true friends-- “Anam Cara”-- “Friends of the Soul”. . . and Jesus is the “Lover of our Souls”.
Lent 5, April 3-- John 12:1-8 “Celtic Women”
The story of “Mary” anointing Jesus, models for Jesus what he will then do for disciples at the Last Supper. In the Celtic tradition, women are equals and have leadership roles in the Church and community. This story will be a very important set up/connection to make to Maundy Thursday and the anointing we will do as part of that service during Holy Week.
Palm Sunday, April 10—Luke 19:28-40, 41-48 “Celtic Dance”
One way to describe Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and then his cleansing of the Temple, is “theater” --political theater, drama and even dance. It's a “dance” he does with the religious and political leaders and the people. The Spirit is dancing all around these events and through out Holy Week. Dance is an important component of Celtic culture and Spirituality—and an image for the Spiritual journey. No Celtic hymn better embraces the Passion than “Lord of the Dance”! Hosanna!