LENTEN SEASON MEANS IT'S TIME TO RECONNECT FAST OR NOT IT'S 40 DAYS UNTIL EASTER.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - The start of the Lenten season offers the opportunity for reflection and reconnection with God, with St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys providing an informal five-week Lenten Wednesday Night Fellowship forum.

The program begins Wednesday and will include Holy Communion, a soup supper and a Lenten-themed Bible study and discussion.

``It's a wonderful way to reconnect with the season of Lent. It's a preparation for Easter so that Easter has more meaning,'' said the Rev. Norman Hull of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. ``Lent is a time for self- examination, for real reflectiveness. We're asking ourselves, 'How have I strayed from God?'''

The biblical basis for the 40-day season of Lent recalls the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting, praying and encountering the devil in the wilderness while preparing for his ministry.

``During Lent we enter into a journey with Jesus. We want to experience with him that time of trial. What was it like to walk in his shoes?'' Hull said.

``It was a pretty lonely road but he never felt entirely alone because God the Father was with him. The road is hard, but you're never alone. In the end, there is the Resurrection, and death never has the last word.''

The Rev. Joy Magala, who has been a pastor at St. Mark's Episcopal Church for 14 years, will lead the first fellowship session with the lesson, ``The Human Condition,'' based on Mark 7:1-23.

``Lent is a time set aside for repentance and fasting. The Wednesday fellowship is a less threatening way, a more intimate way, for people who have been away from going to church to reconnect,'' said Magala, who grew up attending the Anglican Church in Uganda.

``It's been my experience in church that, after the preaching, sometimes there is just the right word in a hymn that I can take to change my life. I hope that people go away with one lesson (on Wednesday) that they can put into practice that will change their life.''

There are a variety of ways in which Lent can be observed, including some form of fasting and sacrificing a pleasure.

Magala suggested ``eliminate that which has become a bondage'' and set a regular time of daily prayer. Her personal approach this Lent will also include ``going simpler'' at mealtimes.

``More and more during Lent, it has become common to set aside a special service project for others instead of giving up something,'' said Hull.

``One of the most important questions to ask could be, 'How are you in relationship to your spouse, your co-worker, God?' Find a certain study, maybe the Psalms, or join us at the Bible study on Wednesday. Just give yourself time to look inward.''

Lenten worship, study and fellowship events: Lenten Wednesday Night Fellowship, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April 5, beginning with Holy Eucharist service, followed by a soup supper at 7 p.m. and Bible study at 7:30 p.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 14646 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. ``Morning of Meditations,'' with parish members' thoughts on Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane, 8:30 a.m.-noon March 18. ``Making Palm Crosses'' class, 10 a.m.-noon March 28. Regular Sunday services at 8 and 10 a.m. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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(color) ``Lent is a time set aside for repentance and fasting,'' says the Rev. Joy Magala, right, of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys. She and the Rev. Norman Hull, left, lead a fellowship forum each Wednesday until Easter.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer