During Lent, Sundays are not included in Lent. Instead they are seen as mini-Celebrations of the Resurrection. They are mini-Easter celebrations! So for some people, Lenten practices are not followed on Sundays. For others, it is easier and better to continue their Lenten disciplines during Sundays as well. Either way, it is nice to have a designated time for celebration during a season that focuses on penitence, sacrifice, and the journey toward the cross.
On Sunday afternoon after worship at Raleigh Moravian, I was fortunate to join our awesome Moravian Youth Fellowship (MYF) for a picnic at a park near the church. We had beautiful weather on Sunday, and it was so nice to spend time outside grilling hot dogs, eating together, and celebrating spring. It was nice since the pollen is not quite fully out yet, and so we were able to enjoy the picnic shelter sans yellow dust everywhere! It was a Lovefeast celebrated out in the open air, and it was a great, holy, and wonderful time together! A holy picnic Lovefeast was certainly a great way to celebrate Easter this first Sunday in Lent!
After we ate, we spent some time talking about Lent and inviting each of the youth to consider giving up something or taking on something for Lent. We talked about doing this practice for a week at a time, and possibly trying different things each week if they wanted to. It isn’t what they do that is as important as the sacrifice and intentionality of doing something. We invited the youth to tell someone else to help hold them accountable during the week.
Here are a few photos from our outing together curtisy of Sarah Oliver, one of the MYF youth.
Living On Emmaus Ave 