CONGREGATION TAKES FRESH LOOK AT LENT.Byline: Carol McGraw Orange County Register Wednesday was Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday, in the Western Church, the first day of Lent, being the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On this day ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death, of the sorrow they should feel for their sins, and of the necessity of , which for Christians, marks the beginning of the 40 days of devotional preparation for Easter. Before the 10th century, it was a time to do public penance. These days, many churchgoers attend services where ashes are smeared on the forehead to remind them of their own mortality. So why in heaven's name are the members of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church Episcopal Church, Anglican church of the United States. Its separate existence as an American ecclesiastical body with its own episcopate began in 1789. Doctrine and Organization in Costa Mesa Costa Mesa (kŏs`tə mā`sə), city (1990 pop. 96,357), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific south of Santa Ana; inc. 1953. It is a transportation, residential, and light industrial center. watching movies such as "Quiz Show quiz show n. A television or radio program in which the contestants' knowledge is tested by questioning, with some contestants winning money or prizes. " and talking about shopping malls, computers, television and commuting?They're spending Lent in the fast lane.That's the name of a six-week program many Episcopal churches are offering as part of the 100th celebration of the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Episcopal Diocese. "Usually during Lent, people give things up. We're asking them to take something on," said Cliff Nunn, education director at St. John. "People often ask what Ash Wednesday and Lent have to do with our world today. Well, we're going to explore how we here in 1996 Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, can interact with those ancient biblical ideas." The classes will tackle a myriad of modern issues, including how to alleviate stress and anxiety, and how to live without boundaries. "We are isolated by our cars, our neighborhoods, our jobs," Nunn said. "Sometimes even our own church walls are a boundary that keeps us from opening our doors to those different than ourselves. An important part of our Lent lesson will be to come up with some ideas how we, as a church, can reach out to the community around us." |
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