Pastor’s Pen

Pastor Jenna

March 2025

Dear St. Andrew Family of Faith,

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, we do so with the theme of “Cultivating and Letting Go”; The word cultivate means, “to foster the growth of” or, “to improve by labor, care, or study.”; It is a word of action, calling us to nurture what is life-giving while also recognizing when it is time to release what no longer serves us.

Lent is a season of spiritual gardening—of inviting God to unearth in us what lies fallow, what needs tending, and what must die for new life to emerge. This year, our lectionary offers images and stories with themes of earthiness and grit, reminding us that the work of faith is both deep and transformative. As Brené Brown so beautifully puts it, “Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.”

Throughout these forty days, we are invited to reflect on what God is calling us to cultivate and what we are being asked to release. Are there habits, fears, or burdens that need to be surrendered? Are there practices of love, justice, and mercy that need to be nurtured more intentionally? As we journey together, may we embrace the rhythm of Lent—a time of preparing the soil of our hearts so that God’s grace might take root and flourish in us.

Please see the email sent the week of February 27 for a full list of our Lenten worship and fellowship schedule, as well as resources to support your Lenten disciplines. May this season be one of renewal, courage, and deep trust in the One who is always at work within us.

With grace and peace,
Pr Jenna