Churches to offer new noon Lenten lunch services

“Lent,” from the Anglo-Saxon word for “spring” or “lengthening of days,” is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. Ash Wednesday (March 5) marks the first day of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). The purpose of Lent is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ.    Beginning at noon on Wednesday, March 12, and continuing for the next four Wednesdays, the churches of the Southern Aroostook Ministerial Association (SAMA) will sponsor a five-week series of Lenten lunches, consisting of a variety of soups and breads. At approximately 12:20 p.m. each week, the host church will offer a time of spiritual preparation for Easter, which could consist of scripture readings, a brief reflection, prayer, music, and/or discussion — all while diners are still seated and finishing up their meal.
“Food, Fellowship, and Faith” is the overall theme and the public is cordially invited to attend these noon-day times of gathering to eat, to fellowship, and to receive spiritual nourishment. While there is no cost for the meals, baskets on each table will be available to receive any donations given for The Salvation Army Fuel Fund. Host churches plan to begin serving right at noon, and the meal and service will end by 12:45 p.m.
These noon-time lunches will replace the former Lenten evening services. It is SAMA organizers’ hope that these noon lunch/services will better accommodate both the senior population and younger folks who might bring their young families or attend while on their work lunch hours.
The five-week schedule is as follows: March 12, St. Mary’s Catholic Church; March 19, Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal; March 26, Houlton United Methodist Church; April 2, Military Street Baptist Church (The Church on the Hill); and April 9, the Unitarian Church, sponsored by the Unitarian Society and First Congregational Church.
For more information, please contact Rev. Dale Holden at 532-7165.