Lent and Gratitude

by General Presbyter Melana Scruggs

For 6th through 9th grades I attended a Roman Catholic school while also attending Sunday school and worship at our Presbyterian church. In those days Presbyterians weren’t spending much time on Lenten disciplines, but my Catholic school friends were serious about it. Fish was the only option for lunch on Fridays, and everyone gave up something for the whole season. In grade school the options of things to give up ranged from bubble gum to chocolate to television. Anyone who gave up television for Lent was a superstar!

By the time I was a junior in high school, the Presbyterian Church I attended had started to focus on the events of Holy Week in a more contemplative manner. Our youth group went to Bok Tower on Good Friday for a retreat and during that time I experienced a call to ministry. It was a call that I did not want and could not imagine. I was painfully shy and a science nerd who wanted to be a pediatrician. I did not hear a woman preach until I was in seminary. So when I told my pastor what had happened and he said I shouldn’t be a pastor, I was greatly relieved! But God had other plans, for which I am eternally grateful, most of the time.

We tend to focus more on sacrifice and denial during Lent, but it is also a good time to focus on gratitude. We are preparing ourselves for the saving event of our faith, so why wouldn’t we be grateful? What are some ways you could take time to be grateful in the coming weeks to the God who loved you enough to send Jesus Christ? What could your church do in these weeks to acknowledge the grace and love we celebrate?

I am grateful for this presbytery and each of its congregations for the mission and ministry that is supported in Southwest Florida. At our presbytery meeting we celebrated some of that joint ministry, including the new grant opportunity provided by the faithfulness of Chapel by the Sea. Two congregations, Burnt Store and Palmetto, received grants to support pastors who will encourage and guide the churches to reach out in evangelism and mission.

The folks at United provided wonderful hospitality for our meeting and if they didn’t have it, we didn’t need it (or so said their pastor). 😊 Our delicious lunch at that meeting was provided by Westminster Communities, which provides housing and long-term care in several cities in Florida, including Bradenton. We also heard from several of our covenant partners. It is always a joy to worship together as a presbytery and we were blessed by the sermon from the Rev. Melanie Kim-Hamill, pastor at Palmetto.

We were also privileged to examine Carson Brown for ordination as associate pastor at First Bonita Springs. Carson has grown up in this presbytery, active in many roles, and serves on a commission of the General Assembly. It was a joy to celebrate with him and the members of the congregation who were present as he was examined. His ordination and installation is set for Sunday, March 29, at 6 pm at First, Bonita Springs. All are invited.

It is my prayer that during this Lenten season you will find places to express your gratitude to God for the gifts you have been given and for the grace and love you receive because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.