Houlton’s Lenten luncheons to offer faith and fellowship

Members of the Southern Aroostook Ministerial Association gather at the Treasures of the House Tea Room to plan the ecumenical Lenten Luncheons, starting next Wednesday, March 4, and Holy Week events. From left are, front row: Rev. Dale Holden, Brenda Wright, Marilyn Roper and Rev. Ginny Urbanek. Back row: Pastor Arnet Mathers, Rev. Kevin Kinsey, Pastor Judy Mathers, Rev. David Hutchinson, Rev. Randall Burns, Lt. Adrian Aponte, Rev. Victor Han, Envoy Frank Nataluk and Deacon Al Burleigh. (Courtesy of Melissa Nataluk)

HOULTON, Maine — The Southern Aroostook Ministerial Association welcomes all to its ecumenical Lenten Luncheons and Holy Week events.

Food, fellowship and spiritual sustenance will be offered at the five Lenten Luncheons from 12 to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning next week, March 4. 

The schedule follows.

March 4 – St. Mary’s Church.

March 11 – Houlton United Methodist Church.

March 18 – Watson Hall, Good Shepherd.

March 25 – Salvation Army.

April 1 – First Baptist Church on Court Street. 

There are always a variety of soups left over and containers available to gift others, be they shut-ins or neighbors in need. 

On Good Friday, April 10, from noon until 1 p.m., there will be an ecumenical service involving most of the pastors representing the 10 denominations included in the association.

The Easter Sunrise Service will take place at 6:30 a.m. on the porch of St. Mary’s, followed by breakfast at the Unitarian Church prepared by Congregational and Unitarian church members. 

The association originated in Houlton more than 50 years ago. Current member churches are: Church on the Hill/Military Street Baptist, First Baptist, Congregational, St. Mary’s, United Methodist of Houlton and Hodgdon, Episcopal, Unitarian, Salvation Army, Seventh-Day Adventist and Quaker. The group meets monthly, primarily discussing needs of the community.