What's New, February 2025

Blessings, Gathering Community.

Recently I have been discerning what faithful discipleship and vital worship looks like in such a time as this. It is humbling work, especially during the seasons of Lent and Easter, when we are invited into the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Who would Jesus have us journey with? Who are being crucified in our society and what is our role in their persecution?

As we prepare to lead others on the Lenten Journey, here is a yearly reminder to be critical of the liturgies that we share so that we are not perpetuating anti-Jewish hate. The blog What to Do with Good Friday? asks this question of us. The spark Alternatives to Reading from the Gospel of John for Good Friday and Holy Week is also a helpful resource.

This year’s United Church Lenten Devotional is all about music! Something Sacred: Reflections on Music and Faith is available through UCRDstore.ca, and my foreword to the book can be found here. Don’t forget to search for new (or new-to-you) music on the website. Here in This Place by Maria Case is a lovely centring piece that can help us connect to something sacred.

And lastly, in case you missed it, in the January What’s New, I shared the links for the Complete Weekly Services and Complete Prayers ,well as some other helpful resources from the Lent Easter issue.

You can expect to receive the Pentecost 1 issue in April, (I think you will love it!) Until then, don’t forget to check online as the Gathering Worship team is continually uploading new content to help us faithfully create vital worship!

Wishing you a blessed (and warm) winter.

Alydia