Look What's Coming!

“Back to Normal”
Today is always the day that I mark as things getting “back to normal” whatever “normal” is. I guess what it means is that everyone is pretty much back in school—the office is back to its “regular hours,” and we begin to say, okay—what’s next? There are lots of exciting things coming at us in this New Year. One thing we MUST keep in mind is how early Easter is this year which means Ash Wednesday and everything else is early too—but more about that later.

Stepping Stones Begins!
Have we had fun at Stepping Stones this year, or what? And the next semester promises to be just as much fun. Don’t miss the first night, January 16th! It’s Family Game Night. Bring your favorite board game, card game or whatever and let’s all “play” together. Feel free to invite a friend or two. We hardly ever take time as families just to play games—so let’s have a blast. And then the fun continues with a reverse dinner starting with Banana Splits. Yep, dessert is FIRST! The fun continues each Wednesday night. AND . . . mark your calendars now and begin practicing for the VANDY 500- on February 20th. This is the annual remote control race car (or truck, or jeep, or whatever) rally held each year. If you haven’t registered yet for Stepping Stones, don’t let that stop you. There is still time and you can also register the first night.

A meaningful time for families
Now back to the Lent and Easter stuff. Lent can be and should be a very meaningful time for families as we prepare for the celebration of Easter. We miss so much if we skip over all of the Lenten practices and jump straight in to Easter. This year, you have the opportunity to both learn more about Lent as a family and as an individual as we begin the season with Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, February 6, we will have a Pancake Supper beginning at 5:30 followed by our Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. During this year’s Ash Wednesday service there will be a special time for children and families to come forward to learn about what Ash Wednesday means and to receive the disposition of ashes as a family. This is a very meaningful service and probably my favorite special service of the year, as we take time to reflect on the life of Christ and our discipleship. So plan on making it a regular Wednesday by coming for the pancake supper and worship service—of course childcare will be available for children Kindergarten age and under. You will also receive from me a Lenten calendar that will help you as families focus on important scripture passages, activities and prayers that are “family friendly.” Please take advantage of this wonderful season to share your faith with one another, to pray together and to learn more about the life of Christ and your own life of discipleship. This can be a time of transformation for both you and your family. So slow down a little, make faith based choices, and take time for Christ!