The Lenten Journey Begins Today

Miss Kathy burning palm crosses to make Ashes

(notice Gerard peeking around the corner!)

Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40 day journey we call Lent.  For centuries Christians have used this season to deepen their faith.  In the early centuries of the Christian era, Lent was a season of preparation for new members.  For 40 days they would fast, be taught the essentials of the faith in preparation for their baptism during the Easter vigil.  It was a gruelling schedule that made these potential new members think twice about what they were getting themselves into.

As 21st Century Presbyterian Christians, our schedule is not nearly as tough.  In fact, we can put very little effort into our faith journey if we choose.  But then Lent comes along and disrupts our busy lives with a call to pay attention--there is more to life than careers and entertainment.  The Lenten journey calls us to draw closer to God and to recognize there are other people on the planet besides ourselves.

The Lenten journey is different for everyone.  For some it may involve giving something up for 40 days, while others may choose to take on some personal discipline.  Whether or not you have followed some Lenten journey in the past, I invite you to join us on the journey beginning today at our Ash Wednesday service at 1 or 7:30 pm.  Then I invite you to join one of our Lenten small groups that will meet in PCMK members' homes.  Together we will explore the question, "What Jesus is This?"

There is really only one reason we should do anything different during Lent--Easter!  Easter is the  celebration of new life that is made all the more meaningful if we spend time on the Lenten journey.

So no matter where the Lenten journey takes you, I look forward to seeing you on the way.

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

Tragedy on the Train

I was just coming out of a Social Justice committee meeting when I heard the news of the terrible accident on the Metro North Train in Valhalla.  Several PCMK members were in the kitchen preparing food for our Emergency Shelter Program guests.  Several of them had spouses that normally take that train and they were understandably shaken.

As far as we know, no one from PCMK is among the injured or worse.  (Actually I have since learned that one of our members was in the second to last car and is okay).  But somewhere in our county 6 families have heard the terrible news.  Like the Governor said on TV, "Six people went about their business on a routine day, but they won't make it home tonight."  He also said how precious life is and how random it can be.

My thoughts are with those families, to be sure.  But I am also thinking of all our PCMK families who send a loved one to work in the City on the train everyday.  Besides the anxiety that will follow this accident, there is the grueling schedule that this lifestyle represents.  Moms and dads get up very early, stand on a cold platform, squeeze into a seat on the train and an hour later they join the crowds spreading out from Grand Central Station on subway or by foot.  At night they reverse their steps and head home to loved ones, often arriving too late to enjoy much of an evening at home.

For a few years I commuted from Oakland to San Franciso on BART trains or by driving the Bay Bridge, so I know how exhausting that lifestyle is.  Perhaps that was part of my desire to enter the ministry and to choose to live near the churches I've served.

I've always respected the sacrifices commuting parents make for the sake of their families.  This accident underscores the dedication and innocence of hard-working people who spend a good percentage of their adult lives on Metro North trains.  My prayers are with you and your families as you have to resume that lifestyle with the thought of what happened on a cold February night fresh on your minds.

See you in church,
Pastor Dale