It was a gift to see so many of you this week — at our joyful Shrove Tuesday celebration and again as we gathered for the solemn beauty of Ash Wednesday. Whether you were able to be present or not, I want to extend again the Church’s invitation to a holy Lent:

“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”

Ash Wednesday grounds us in two profound truths: our mortality and our hope. As ashes are placed on our foreheads, we hear the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words are not meant to frighten us, but to steady us — to remind us that our lives are held in God, and that even in death we belong to Christ.

Part of living faithfully is preparing wisely. Thoughtful end-of-life planning is an act of stewardship and, perhaps even more, an act of love — a kindness to family and friends who will one day carry both grief and responsibility.

Because it is easy to put off this work, I am including a packet of information to help guide you in thinking through these decisions (you can download it here). It includes practical guidance for end-of-life planning as well as information about preparing a funeral service. I am undertaking this work myself, refreshing my own plans following our move to California last year. If you have questions — especially about funeral planning — please know that I am always available for conversation.

My hope is that during this Lenten season you might set aside a little time for this holy and practical work. If you complete a funeral plan, you are welcome to provide a copy to the church for safekeeping. You may drop it off or email it to me so that it can be kept on file and available when needed.

May this season draw us more deeply into trust — in life, in death, and in the hope of the Resurrection.

Blessings,
Paul