In this Lenten Season ... I don’t know who needs to read this, but it’s not all up to you. Peace, Love, Justice. The most noble of endeavors that we all strive for are not meant for you to “achieve” on your own. It makes sense that most of us believe that we can will our way to a life of peace, justice and love. It’s possible. What I don’t understand is why you would want to rely solely on yourself when the God of Jesus has offered to be our strength?! 

In the opening pages of her book, "Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love,"
Bishop Mariann Budde reflecting on her own life, talks about her recognition that “apart from Jesus, I can do nothing.” If you are ready to explore why or how Jesus might be the answer to your soul’s weariness, please consider joining one of our Lenten Book Groups starting March 4. For more details, see below.   ~ a message from Amy Molina-Moore
You won't want to miss ...
Sunday Forum
This Sunday, Mar. 1 at 10:15 am, come hear Sam Harrington, MD and Susan Flanders talk about his book, "At Peace: Choosing a Good Death After a Long Life " and the steps you can take for a peaceful end. (Church Nave)
Wednesdays@St. C's
Lenten courses start this Wed., Mar. 4 at 7 pm, and run weekly until Apr. 1. Join a Book Group exploring Bp. Budde's "Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love" or a discussion group focused on "Faith at Work." Schedule
Sung Compline
During Lent, singers will share Compline, a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. Join our choir to listen or sing along, Sundays, Mar. 1-29, at 7:30 pm (St. Aidan's Chapel)
And Every Sunday at St. Columba's ...
Our  Regular Worship Schedule offers services in the Church Nave at 
8 am (spoken),  9 am (family-friendly service with children's choirs and an age-appropriate Gospel story for children 3-8), and  11:15 am featuring our adult choirs. The Great Hall service at  9:15 am is designed for pre-school aged children and their families.  Learn more about child care, Sunday School and the other family-focused programs St. Columba's offers.
Practicing Faith
LENT
A Message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
As the season of Lent approaches, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation: “In times of great national concern and urgency, people of faith have returned to ancient practices of repentance, prayer and fasting as ways of interceding with God on behalf of their nation and the world. This is such a moment for us in the United States."
LENT
Walking the Way of Love this Lent
Lent is the time to discern your personal faith story. It is a time for reflection, repentence and renewal. Come rediscover yourself by walking the Way of Love with us this Lenten season. Enrich your prayer life and grow deeper in faith by participating in a St. C’s book group, workshop or retreat.
Learn more about our Lenten formation programs ... Here is just a sampling!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT ST. C'S IN LENT: MAR. 4 - APR. 1
Wednesdays, 9:45-11:15 am (Rm 212) OR 7-8:30 pm (Rm. 215)
Lenten Book Groups
Join a morning or evening group for a weekly exploration of Bishop Marianne Budde's book, "Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love" led by  David Griswold . Register by  email .

Wednesdays, 7-8 pm (Rm 220)
Parenting the Way of Love: Book Study Group
Join us Wednesdays in Lent as we use Bishop Marianne Budde’s book “Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love” to explore what it means for us to "Parent the Way of Love.” Led by  Amy Molina-Moore

Note:  Bishop Marianne Budde’s book “Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love” is available for purchase on Sundays at the Welcome desk for $12 or online . 

Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm (Rm 212)
Faith at Work
Many wonder, “How do I practice my faith at work? It’s not appropriate
for most of us to proselytize, but what else can we do? How do we remind
ourselves that we are still living out God’s love in the midst of meetings and
deadlines?” ~ from parishioner Mary Ann Carter

Join Ledlie Laughlin for conversation about the intersection of faith and work; we’ll learn together. The challenges are different for each line of work, so we will gather with those in similar context (in a series of five individual sessions). Are you an educator, artist, or do you work in communication? Come Wed. Mar. 4, 7-8:30 pm, in the Great Hall.

Next week:
March 11: Health Care and Social Service Providers
Click here for a schedule of upcoming sessions.
Note: you are invited to one session only. If there is interest among those gathered, we will determine next steps.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT: MAR. 11 - APR. 15, 4:45-6 PM (RM 203)
Legos for Lent
Legos for Lent is a program for children ages 4-10 to hear a Bible story, talk about the story and create a Lego scene depicting the story. Click  here  to register or just come for the fun! Led by  Katie McGervey

It all begins Wed., March 4th!
LENT
A Mindful Lent 
Special Labyrinth Program and Walk
As part of your Lenten observance, explore the practice of mindfulness -- living in the present moment -- with a special labyrinth program and walk on Tues., Mar. 10. Led by parishioner and certified mindfulness instructor Courtney Hundley, the evening will begin with a mindfulness workshop from 7-7:45 PM, followed by an open labyrinth walk accompanied by live music until 8:30 PM. No experience necessary. Contact: Suzi Kindervatter
Strengthening Community
Mardi Gras 2020
Many thanks to all who joined in on our Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras festivities. About 200 parishioners enjoyed traditional New Orleans cuisine and live jazz music from the Maret School Jazz Combo, Sharp 5. Such a grand soiree would not have been possible without the incredible teamwork of volunteers and staff. Sincere thanks to all who pitched in!
PILGRIMAGE
St. Columba's Holy Land Pilgrimage
We give thanks that all our pilgrims have returned home safely.
Read Lisa Battalia's entire story and see their pictures!
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Help Envision the Future of our Ministry 
St. Columba’s vibrant Children’s Ministry has drawn many of us into this community and nourished our families along our spiritual journey. It is an essential part of St. Columba’s. During this time of transition, a Renovation Team has convened with the two-fold task of supporting interim director Katie McGervey, and considering the future of this program.

As we envision the future of this ministry, we want to hear from you! We’ve created a brief (5 min) anonymous survey, available both online and by hard copy at the Welcome desk. Please respond by March 15 and share your experiences and perspective so we can enrich this program for all our children. Thank you to all who have contributed your time to making the ministry successful this year! Contact: Emily Lawson
Finding God
FORMATION
Upcoming Sunday Forums in Lent
Sunday Forums bring us all together to talk about the big issues and tough challenges we face – but also to celebrate our community and find new directions together. During Lent, St. Columba's has brought together a series of powerful speakers bringing new insight to the idea of where we find God from many interesting perspectives: science, music and elsewhere. Join us Sundays at 10:15 am . Schedule of upcoming Sunday Forums

Missed a past Sunday Forum?
Remembering
Raul Nicolas Torres Morgado died on Feb. 22, 2020. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
A memorial service will be held at St. Columba’s on Sat., Feb. 29, at 11 am.
Gathering
For more event info, go to Calendar at Columba.org

St. Columba's Lenten Calendar
Follow the Way of Love this Lenten Season. Start your Lenten journey using the St. C's Lenten Calendar . From worship services to book groups and workshops, and labyrinths walks to days of reflection ... You'll find it all right here .
SUNDAYS
Healing Prayer  During Communion at the 9:15 and 10:30 am services, you are invited for a healing prayer for yourself or others in St. Aidan's Chapel or at the 42nd Street entry.

Sunday Forums 10:15, in Church Nave or Great Hall. Presentations that stimulate our imagination about living the Christian life in this community, and in today’s changing world. See speaker lineup.

Bible, Coffee & Conversation  Come 10:15 am, in Rm 238. When we open our minds and hearts to Scripture, we learn to see God’s story and God’s activity in our everyday lives. Join us!

Sung Compline During Lent
Singers will be sharing Compline, a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day on Sunday evenings, Mar. 1-29, at 7:30 pm in St. Aidan's Chapel.

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS
Centering Prayer
Join us Monday evenings (6:25-7:30 pm) and/or Thursday afternoons (12:55-2 pm), Rm 202.

WEDNESDAYS
Mothers' Group 10 am, Rm 203. Join us as we get to know each other better, sharing the highs and lows of motherhood. Free child care.

WEDNESDAY@ST. C's IN LENT
Find more information about Wednesday evening Way of Love book groups, programs & workshops on St. C's Lenten Calendar.

THURSDAYS
Thursday Morning Bible Study Group 7:45 am, Rm 212.
Living Clearly: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation An introductory course Mar. 5 - Apr. 9 at 7-8 pm, in Rm 212, led by Catherine Flanagan.

SUN., MAR. 1
Caregivers' Support Group 12:30-2 pm, in Rm 212.
Environment Committee 12:30 pm, in Rm 215.
Fathers’ Group 8 pm at The Avenue (5540 Connecticut Ave., NW).

MON., MAR. 2
First Monday Prayer Group 9-10:30 am, in Rm 220.

WED., MAR. 4
Wednesdays@St. C's begins! 7 pm Click here for course list.
Benedictine Cell First and third Wednesday of the month, from 6-7 pm in the Deming Library.

THURS., MAR. 5
Creative Aging Network (CAN) 12:30-2 pm in Rm 212.
Parable of Work Support Group Meets first and third Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm, Rm 215.

SUN., MAR. 8
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS! Set your clocks ahead by one hour.
Newcomer Tour & Talk 10:15 am, at the Welcome Desk.
Second Tuesday Grate Patrol 11:15 am, in Rm 205.

TUES., MAR. 10
A Mindful Lent: Special Labyrinth Program and Walk 7 pm Led by parishioner and certified mindfulness instructor Courtney Hundley, in the Great Hall.

WED., MAR. 11
CIRCLE: Wisdom Circle 9:30-10:45 am, Rm 212. A chance to reflect on the experience of "Elderhood" with prayer, bible study and discussion. (Second Wednesdays) Register or just come!
CIRCLE: LGBT Circle at 7 pm, in Rm. 220. Led by Mark Smith.

FRI., MAR. 13
Middle C at St. Columba's Concert Series: Mandy Brown, soprano and Tatiana Loisha, piano in "Flora and Fauna" 7 pm, Music Rm. Tickets are $15.

SAT., MAR. 14
Sticks-in-Stitches 10 am-12 pm in the Lounge at Friendship Terrace (2nd fl).
Seeing the Face of God in Each Other Free two-day anti-racism workshop offered by the Episcopal Church. Sat., Mar. 14 and 21, 8:30 am - 4 pm (Grace Episcopal Church, 1607 Grace Church Rd, Silver Spring) Register

FRI., MAR. 20
Environment Committee Movie Night An award-winning documentary “The Biggest Little Farm” 7 pm in the Great Hall.

SAT., MAR. 21
The Contemplative Experience of Jesus: Lenten Half Day for Prayer and Reflection. Come and deepen your Lenten journey at this mini-retreat 9 am-1 pm, in Rm 212.

TUES., MAR. 24
Branches Meditation Group meets (Fourth Tuesday) for meditation, prayer and sharing in community, 7:30-9 pm in Rm 203.

SUN., Mar. 28
J2A Chili Cook-off 12:30-2 pm, Common.
"Sundays at 5 pm: Chamber Music for Hearts and Minds" with Rosa Lamoreaux, 5 pm, Church Nave.