March 2022 Newsletter
As we enter March, we begin to sense that winter is winding down. The days are growing longer and warmer. We can begin to dream about our gardens and flower beds. The light will shine brighter and bolder as we turn the corner into spring.
But our light has not dimmed this winter at Columbia Falls United Methodist. Your acts of kindness and compassion to our community spread love to so many church family members and neighbors. 
I recently told d a group of pastors that my heart was warmed at hearing and reading your stories of kindness. We have celebrated Jesus’ light shining out from our lives to the lives of our neighbors. Trust that your deeds of love will not soon be forgotten.
Now we turn to another celebration – Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. These next forty days help us anticipate celebrating the greatest love of all – God’s son among us, resurrected to give light and life to all people!
For centuries, Christians have marked the season of Lent by dedicating their energy to spiritual growth. Sometimes they give up certain foods, commit to scripture reading or prayer, or adopt other spiritual practices that help the heart find communion with God in a new and refreshing way. How will you celebrate Lent and anticipate Easter this year?
We will continue this tradition of spiritual practices by reflecting together on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, “An Altar in the World.” Taylor is an Episcopal priest, professor, and author living and working in Georgia. Her book invites us to look at twelve ordinary experiences of human life and see them as spiritual practices. As we incorporate these practices into our daily lives, we begin to discover altars everywhere we go, in nearly everything we do. On Sundays we will highlight these practices. Small groups will gather on Wednesdays to reflect on the readings together.
Blessings,
Pastor Jared
