Casco Bay Cluster Develops Interesting Lenten Series

 

 Casco Bay Cluster Develops Interesting Lenten Services

This year’s Cluster services have taken a different tact and for those that have attended they have found meaningful messages while enjoying the fellowship of sharing a meal each week.

Ash Wednesday at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church ushered in the Lenten Season with a nourishing and filling Pot Luck Supper. We had the opportunity to sit with people from other churches in the Cluster and perhaps became more familiar with each other and less distant. Once the meal was over we all stayed in our places around the White Cross created by putting the tables in that kind of configuration. While the service progressed with Bach’s music played on the piano, several attendees were invited to read from the scriptures that had been prepared by Pastor Ruth Morrison. Following the music and readings we then were given a small square piece of purple crepe paper upon which we wrote a prayer. We then were asked to crumple it up, then open it again and role it as a tube. This was placed on a saucer, with the paper standing up. We lit a Myrrh stick, touched it to the paper which burned down to ash, but was lifted heaven ward carrying our prayers in the direction of heaven. Some went quite high toward the cathedral ceiling before falling once again in spent ash. Some of the folks used that to mark the sign of the cross on the forehead of others. In all it was a very meaningful service and one I personally was glad to attend.

On the second Wednesday in Lent we journeyed to Thornton Heights United Methodist Church where we were greeted by Pastor Lynn Campbell where she asked us to enter the sanctuary to listen to Taize music which helped us enter a spiritual state. When it was time to move to another room for supper two women were at the back of the sanctuary with two large bowls of warm water.  Our hands were cleansed and wiped before going to the fellowship room for the meal.  The blessing was given and then we headed for the outside hall where we experienced yet another succulent repast while sharing conversation across the table with folks who in most instances were from other churches in the Cluster. Following the meal, readings were presented and some music was experienced. For the second week an offering was collected, designed to support a medical practice being established in Guatemala. The hope is to raise at least $2000 to match a $2000 gift that is already in place to go with additional funds being collected throughout the Tri-State District during Lent.

The third Lenten Service was cancelled due to the poor weather on that Wednesday night. The service was to be held at West Scarborough UMC. Pastor Priscilla Dreyman indicated that they will plan to do something to make up for the missed night sometime after Easter.

Lenten Service and Meal Four was held last Wednesday evening at Peoples UMC and held in Ellis Hall. Nearly 50 folks arrived to a table arrangement similar to what it was at the Cape Elizabeth Church. Pastor Tom Frey offered a blessing of the food which again was pot luck and served as a buffet. Following the meal, scriptural readings were read by volunteers scattered around the table which in turn were separated by hymns appropriate to the season. Peoples Choir sang a number also. Pastor Tom led us in the Ionian form of communion closing the program for the evening.

There are still two more Lenten services to come with that scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 occurring at Elm Street UMC in Pleasantdale and the last scheduled for March 27 to be held at First UMC located on Brown’s Hill. Both of those services will also include a pot luck supper as well as a spiritual service. Time for the meal and program begins at 6:00 PM.

If you have not been to those services included above I’m sure your presence will be welcome at the last two services and meals. Please bring something to share with others. It seems that each week that these services have been held the host church has seen the highest attendance, but one significant part of these joint events is that we have a chance to share and to talk with other brothers and sisters in Methodism and in Jesus Christ.