Dear friends and fellow disciples,

We are enough into Lent by now to have forgotten whatever Lenten practice we began a handful of weeks ago. The weather has warmed, spring breaks have come and gone, and we have settled back into the routines we had before the season began. But Lent remains, and we have much work to do to prepare. What work do you have to do this Lent? How are YOU called to prepare for Holy Week and Easter?

Here are a few things coming up soon that I really want you to pay attention to:
This Sunday is "Undy Sundy"
The Mission Stitches group is collecting donations of new children's underwear  for students in schools operated by Haiti Outreach Ministries. Bring them to church with you on Sunday, the day we have deemed Undy Sundy ! You can drop off donations in the green bin in the Mission Center. Our Haiti Education Mission Team will take them to the schools next week. Please keep everyone on the team in your prayers as they travel and seek to put God’s love into action. Contact : Helen Harrison
WEDNESDAY: "Lenten Imagery in Modern & Contemporary Art," Led by Ruth Caccavale
I invite you to join me on  Wednesday at 6:30pm  in the Music Room, as Ruth Caccavale discusses Lenten influences on art in these modern times. Ruth is a former professor of art with Rutgers University and currently serves as a gallery guide at the Nasher Museum. You won't want to miss this fascinating conversation! Contact : Kristina Gilbert
NEXT SUNDAY: CROP Hunger Walk  
Can you imagine trekking nearly five miles every day to gather fresh water? You can get an idea of what that might be like at CROP Walk, an 8K walk to raise money to fight world hunger.   CROP Walk takes place Sunday, April 7, at 2:30pm (begins at Duke Chapel).  You can sign up right now to be a walker, sponsor a walker, or make a donation. This year our goal is to raise $15,000 for hunger relief, but as of this writing we've raised less than half that. Let's do this, Westminster! Contact : Neil McElroy
Good Friday: Prayer Walk of the Passion for All Ages
I encourage you to take part in “Prayer Walk of the Passion,” on Good Friday, April 19, at 2:00pm . This intergenerational, interactive event depicts moments of Holy Week and offers an opportunity to slow down and reflect a little more deeply what Jesus accomplished through the cross. We will also worship at noon on Good Friday. Please help us plan well for the Prayer Walk by signing up in advance .  Contact : Kristina Gilbert
Looking Ahead to Sunday
We’re excited to have friends from UNC-CH’s Presbyterian Campus Ministry with us in worship at 11:00am. Our own Jack Mountain will share a little about his UNC PCM experience; Westminster member John High serves on the board. UNC PCM strives to create a safe, inviting community where students can explore their faith through gatherings, small group studies, and discipleship opportunities. Supporting Campus Ministry is an important way we keep the promises we make at baptism to support and nurture young people, even when they move away from us.
 
We will also continue our journey through   The Confession of Belhar , focusing on section III, which calls us to be salt and light and a witness by all we do to the love of Christ in the face of hatred and enmity.

This week our family has been spending some days in Charleston, and as we were navigating downtown to find the ferry for Fort Sumter, Carrie pointed across the street and said, "Look!" We had come upon Mother Emmanuel AME Church, the site of a terrible massacre, when a young man walked into a Bible study on June 17, 2015, sat with them for a time, then began shooting. It was a scene of brazen and evil racist hatred, but the saints of Mother Emmanuel church handled themselves with overwhelming and beautiful faithfulness, even offering forgiveness at the first legal proceedings. I can think of no better recent example of sharing the salt and light of Christ's love with the world.
 
In these complicated days, might our work, with God's help, sprinkle some salt, shed a little light, and be a part of the ways Jesus Christ is transforming the world. See you Sunday.