Thursday, February 18, 2021
Dear Ones,

Thank you so much for gathering last night to kick-off our Lenten journey together! It was wonderful to see so many of you, and the opportunity to gather virtually to pray and to talk for a few minutes afterward made my Ash Wednesday. I was surprised how emotional I got at the end of the service seeing all of you with your ash crosses marking your mortality, your forgiven-ness, and your resiliency as People of God. Thank you—it was beautiful and very powerful.
After a year of so many different kinds of deaths, the symbolism of our ashes went deeper this Ash Wednesday, and a request came in asking what to do with the extra ashes. I think I am going to save my ashes as a symbol of resilience in Christ. Perhaps keeping them close at hand this coming year will remind me that I can step into death and mortality—that I can let go of things—and yet still live through the grace of God. I just may need a ready supply to help me contemplate year-round how God’s mercy makes me not just a disciple of resilience but truly part of Christ’s Resurrection.

And so it is with life in Christ—by the glory of God, we all just keep falling deeper and deeper into the mysteries of our faith.

As you have already seen and heard, the journey we are diving into this particular season of Lent is to live into the grace of LISTENING—listening to God and to others; listening to learn and to love. You are invited to engage in all or any combination of the many offerings and practices Christ Church has provided for you this Lent.

Some offerings and practices are in the beautiful Lent bag curated by our staff which was delivered to your door by our Mardi Gras crew (thank you Christ Church staff and delivery drivers!). Some offerings and practices are online through YouTube and Zoom. And beginning February 28th, our Lenten journey will become available in-person with Holy Eucharist in the courtyard at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. In fact, Bishop Susan will be with us on February 28th for her yearly visit and to install me as Rector of Christ Church!

However, of all the offerings available, I humbly beseech your participation and presence—as well as your help in spreading the word and inviting friends and neighbors across the country—for our Lent Speaker Series on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m.

These six weekly events running from next Wednesday, February 24th through Wednesday, March 31st are poised to be an outstanding Christ Church Coronado offering to the wider church and beyond. As many of our speakers have their own following, I believe we will be joined by people from all over the nation. I would very much like to see a solid Christ Church Coronado base as we are the hosts offering this gift to others! Not only is this the perfect opportunity to invite friends and neighbors far and wide to join us, but I believe that this series will change each of us in our Lenten journey also.

I am looking forward to all that listening in Lent will bring to our church in the next 40 days and beyond—and I am deeply confident that the end result will be so so good if we take the time to do the work.
Many blessings and much love,



Mtr Regan+
Christ Episcopal Church
1114 Ninth Street, Coronado, CA 92118
christchurchcoronado.org