Lent - Holy Rest

Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday on March 2. Throughout Lent you are invited focus on the spiritual practices that keep us grounded in our faith.  


We would like to offer you space to pray, to process, to think, to cry, to hope, and to do whatever you need. (Yell a little too if you want; that's okay too.)


We would like to offer you meditative space that is usually quiet during the week.


We hope that you might come to the church on Sundays (in person/ zoom worship at 10 am) or at another time during the week to engage in one of our prayer offerings or just to sit and watch the colorful patterns when the light hits the stain glass.


If you choose to leave your prayers behind in writing, we will pray for you as well.


If you need help getting into the church during non-Sunday morning times, text (202)805-3720 or email (alicertewell@gmail.com) Pastor Alice Rose Tewell.


Trans kids, you are a beloved child of God.

Ukrainians and supporters, you are a beloved child of God.

LGBTQIA+ friends, you are a beloved child of God.

Weary one, you are a beloved child of God.

Prayer Stations

Especially throughout Lent, you are invited into the sanctuary to pray, to meditate, to write, to engage, to yell, to nap, and to sit.  The sanctuary is open throughout the week* as well as on Sunday mornings. We hope that this quiet space may be a place of healing, grounding, and wholeness for you.  We invite you come to the sanctuary to discover holy rest. 


There will be rotating prayer stations set up throughout Lent.  Here is a guide for the ones set up for the beginning of Lent:


Prayers for Ukraine

When you enter the sanctuary, you will find a communion cup with slips of paper and pens with the instructions from 1 Thessalonians 5 to “Pray without ceasing.”   You are invited to write your prayers and bring them to the foot of the cross at the front of the sanctuary.  Place your prayers in the bent communion chalice.  God hears our prayers when we do not have the words.


Prayers for Trans kids and peoples and situations on our hearts 

On the communion table, you will find a candle with a More Light Trans pin, a pride and trans flag, and a series of candles and stones. You are invited to write a prayer for Trans kids as well as peoples and situations on the stones.  You may take your prayer stone home with you or leave it in the sanctuary. The pastors and church members will pray your prayers. 


Baptism Prayers

You are invited to linger at the baptismal font with a plant from one of our oldest church members.  You are a beloved child of God. 


Finding Wholeness reflections

Near the children’s section and on a church pew, you will find the words of Luke 6,  Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain. You will also find the parts of that sermon that spoke to our hearts of courageous practices to bring wholeness. You are invited to add your own reflections.  


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The sanctuary is mostly always open for you to for quiet contemplative time.  The exception is Thursday evenings when another group uses the space. If you need help getting into the building, please text Pastor Alice at 202-805-3720.


Lent - Spiritual Offerings & Practices

Here are a few offerings to provide you grounding and perhaps holy rest. 

  • A Zoom based devotion study Tuesdays March 8-April 5 from 12:00-12:30 pm focusing on Kate Bowler’s free downloadable resource, A Good Enough Lent. Kate Bowler, PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and a professor at Duke University. She studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of a number of books including  Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved), No Cure For Being Human (and Other Truths I Need to Hear), and new book Good Enough. 

  • Members of the church and community will be sharing their spiritual practices for grounding. 

  • In the sanctuary, throughout Lent, there will be art and prayer stations inviting you into a meditative space. 

  • Mission based opportunities including the Racial Justice Study and Action Group, sandwich packing, the food and toiletry drives, and garden starting.