Dear Members and Friends of Westminster,
As we observe the season of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday, I invite you into our central theme Encountering Gospel. Notice that it’s not “Encountering the Gospel,” because so often we have preconceived, sometimes incomplete notions of what we mean by “the Gospel.” Rather, we invite you to encounter the richness of “Gospel” anew through a variety of means, including the visual arts.
We begin by “encountering Gospel” with an Immersive Ash Wednesday Service (including dinner) in the Dining Room from 6 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. on February 22. We will share a simple dinner, immerse ourselves in the Gospel of Mark through music and dramatic readings, and conclude with the imposition of ashes. Westminster members John Nienhuis and Diane Helle have shared their wealth of creative gifts in planning this interactive experience. Years ago, when I first heard Mark’s Gospel performed dramatically as one narrative, it was incredibly powerful and profound; I believe you will also hear and understand it in a deeply meaningful way. Please make every effort to join us, and in Diane’s words, “experience the drama of Mark wash over you like an ocean wave.” (Childcare will be provided.)
Ashes will also be made available in the Chapel from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
When you enter the Gathering Place on Ash Wednesday, you will again “encounter Gospel” through the whimsical artwork of Joel Schoon-Tanis. His series of paintings 40:The Gospels juxtapose realistic images with joyful, child-like ones to shed new light on eight stories from each of the four Gospels, as well as eight images for Holy Week. Each set of images lifts up the narrative theme of each Gospel voice. 40: The Gospels will be on display throughout the entire season of Lent, giving us repeated opportunities to reflect on his visual interpretations of Gospel stories.
Joel will also be present with us several times in person:
- In worship on the first Sunday in Lent, February 26, Joel will be painting a new image throughout the service in response to the Scripture text and sermon; he and I may even have a conversation mid-sermon!
- After worship on February 26, Joel will lead a conversation for Adult Faith Formation in the Sanctuary talking about faith, creativity, and imagination.
- After worship on March 12, we will feature Joel at an intergenerational event and brunch, where he will guide all ages together to create two Easter season banners for the Sanctuary.
- On Saturday, March 18, from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., is a community-wide Open House; Joel will speak about his 40:The Gospels project at 3 p.m. and will be present before and afterwards with copies of his books and artwork available for purchase. This Open House will support his work this summer with St. Paul’s Seminary in Kenya.
During Sunday worship throughout Lent, we will “encounter Gospel” through stories of one-on-one conversations with Jesus—Jesus and the devil/tempter, Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, and Jesus and the blind man. March 29 worship features the children’s musical “Called,” which affirms that God has placed something beautiful in everyone and is calling us to share it with the world.
We will enter “encounter Gospel” during Holy Week with palms for everyone on Palm Sunday; a traditional Maundy Thursday communion service; and a community Good Friday service of scripture/music/liturgy/silence at noon here at Westminster that includes many downtown churches and features an ecumenical choir. All of this will prepare us to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter Day, where we will hang the community-created banners from our March 12 intergenerational event with Joel.
I also want to preview one other special opportunity. As part of his multi-day visit to the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, on Thursday evening, March 9, at 6:30 pm. Rev. Jimmie Hawkins of the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness will offer a keynote presentation in our Sanctuary; he is a dynamic presenter and will talk about why and how the church engages in moral and ethical issues at stake in public policy. He will connect the advocacy work of the larger church to issues we are working on locally through both Westminster-led ministries and our participation in the broad-based organizing work of Together West Michigan.
Wow—just writing this all leaves me breathless…and full of hope for a rich and meaningful season of Encountering Gospel throughout Lent. Won’t you join me?!
In hope and faith,
Rev. Lynette Sparks, Senior Pastor