In a video released the morning of Ash Wednesday, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin said that even though this is an unusual start to Lent, it is still a time to be reflective, to "hold the reality of the world in which we’re living and find our deeper connection with the divine."

"It’s a very not traditional Lenten season," he said. "This year we honor that we are still in many respects not in person with one another. And yet, that doesn’t mean we can’t still hold the seasonality of this moment, that we can’t take this moment of prayerful pause to reflect on who we are and whose we are."
 
The Rev. Goodwin suggested four Lenten helps: 

1. Join the UCC ONA Coalition on Zoom or Facebook Monday through Friday at 9 or 11:30 am EST for a contemplative experience of psalms, scripture, silence, prayer and Taizé chant based on ancient forms of Christian daily prayer, but in inclusive and non-binary language. Each service is about 20 minutes. Especially in this time of turmoil and stress, begin your day with prayer and song this Lenten season.
    
2. Find the space for grace this Lenten season for all who serve toward justice for all. "We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own."  (Read this prayer here.)
    
3. The physical Conference Offices will remain closed for now, but the ministry and work of the conference staff in partnership with you is very much so ALIVE and OPEN. We will explore the possibility of re-opening after Annual Meeting in May. I am grateful for our desire to be guided by science, an orientation toward safety for all, and our spiritual commitment to those most vulnerable around us. Resources: www.sneucc.org/coronavirus
    
4. Please visit the conference website for additional Easter and Lenten resources.