Pastor’s Column

February 19, 2026

Our book group has just arrived at the chapter where Scazzero begins to teach us how to set aside time to build our relationship with God, using regular meditative prayer. I must admit, when I first considered his advice, I shrunk away thinking, “one more commitment that I don’t have time for and will quickly fail at.”

My response reminds me all too well of the paraphrase of Genesis 3:19 which Dave Phelps and I repeated each time we imposed ashes last night at the Ash Wednesday service: “Remember that from dust you have come and to dust you shall return.” I am nothing more than dust. Whoever I am and whatever I may do on earth is simply dust that will be blown away when I’m gone. Of course, this is an extreme realization that rarely enters my mind. I am much more inclined to remember God’s statement that he said to Jesus and extends to me, “You are my beloved.”

Nonetheless, Lent is an opportunity to consider that not only our mortality, but our frailty, our fear of failure, our reluctance to try something new, even something that might transform our life.

During this Lenten season we will consider the ancient practice of pilgrimage as a means of drawing closer to God. We are planning a showing of the movie, “The Way”, with Martin Sheen as he travels the Camino Santiago across Spain, after the death of his son. Please watch for details on when it will be shown. Since it is a long movie (about two hours) you might want to watch it at home on one of the streaming services.

Please plan to worship regularly during Lent. Also, consider inviting family and friends to the Soup Suppers, each Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the Parlor. I will lead a devotional after each meal. I am also so pleased to tell you that Immanuel Lutheran has invited us to use the labyrinth on their parking lot. If you would like to help repaint the labyrinth in preparation for our use, please contact Drew Cheney or Dave Phelps or the office.

Pleased to be on the journey with you,

Pastor Cindy

My dear church family,

Together we have begun our Lenten journey. As we travel together, I trust we will deepen our relationship with God and experience the peace of joy of knowing that God is in control and we can rest in God’s presence.

The Thursday book study is reading a book recommended by Jason Cheung when he preached for us last November: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Perter Scazzero. Scazzero is a pastor who found himself overwhelmed and “burned out” by the many responsibilities of his position. Through much self-reflection, he realized that he was emotionally immature, avoiding healthy conflict, ignoring his own emotions, leading a hurried life, and using work “for” God as an excuse for not spending time “with” God.