Death and Life

The season of Lent can be rather somber. Within the church, the prayers, liturgy and hymns are written to evoke deeper contemplation, as people symbolically walk with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem and to his death. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14, this year. All are welcome to attend a brief lunch-time service that day from 12-12:30 p.m. and receive ashes to mark the beginning of your Lenten journey.

Often we avoid talking about the inevitable outcome of death, especially our own. During this Lenten season, I am inviting people to consider their deaths through imagery and in writing. The irony is, that in discussing and preparing for death, we may actually choose to engage more fully in living the life we've been given.

I will be offering a two-week course on "Death and Dying" Sunday mornings from 9-10 a.m. on February 18 and 25 at Tehachapi Community Church, 100 East E Street. The course will invite people to consider what really matters in their lives, while also presenting practical information to prepare for our leaving and aide surviving family members.

Lent culminates with Easter and the resurrection, so I thought it only fitting that I should offer a lengthier course devoted to life and living after discussing death and dying. I have been studying with the Center for Mind Body Medicine and I have acquired skills that enhance my life. Their website is cmbm.org. I will be offering an 8-week closed group for stress management and mind-body skills to enhance living, beginning Tuesday, February 27 from 3-5 p.m. As a licensed therapist, I would charge the going rates to offer this group outside of the church, at approximately $50/session. However, as my Lenten gift to the church and the community, I ask that donations of any amount be given to the church instead. The group will function best with fewer than 12 members, so if you are interested in participating, please contact me at (661) 900-5536 to reserve your spot.

Let us use our time wisely to fully live every moment we've been given.

Blessings,

Pastor Nancy

About Tehachapi Community Church, UCC:

No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here!

The Tehachapi Community Church, UCC is an open and welcoming community of faith that believes that each person, created in the image of God, holds a piece of the truth. Therefore we respect each person's unique spiritual journey. We invite you to experience the difference that religious freedom in a caring community can make in that journey.

We are located at 100 East E St., in Tehachapi. Worship and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Please join us for coffee and fellowship at our Friendship Hall after worship (approximately 11:30 a.m.). All are welcome.