by Tara Taylor, Worship Elder

It’s hard to believe that Lent is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday (February 6th) marks the beginning of this season of reflection, quiet and self-discipline leading up to Easter Sunday. For many, Lent is known as a time for fasting, giving up, doing without...words which may cause you to feel rather morose. Might I suggest another way to say the same thing? Lent is an opportunity to simplify.

In my travels around the world, I’ve noticed that life in non-Western cultures is much simpler. No washing machines, one pair of shoes, a couple changes of clothes, toys made from old tin cans and sticks, lots of walking and public transportation, two meals a day, no internet or TV or pda’s.

For a variety of cultural and economic reasons, most of the world’s population “does without” on a very regular basis. Not meaning to diminish the devastating effects of famine, disease and war, I have noticed a common theme. Despite what they “lack,” people in these cultures seem generally joy-filled and satisfied. Without the distraction of “stuff”, they’ve learned to enjoy the simple things of life: family, friends, God, time to laugh and cry and love. It’s made me do a lot of thinking about my life lately, and the priority I’ve put on the things I have and the things I do.

Simplicity doesn’t come naturally in our amenity-rich Western culture. So this Lent I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to “practice” the simple life. Maybe I’ll just eat two meals a day. Perhaps I’ll give away those ten pairs of shoes I haven’t worn for the past year or two. What if I didn’t bring my laptop home from work each night, but spent my free time reading or writing letters to friends? Who knows? I’m excited to give it a try!

As you’ve likely heard in recent years, Bethany’s leadership has done much talking and praying around the idea of Sabbath – not just as a day, but as a lifestyle. We’ve wondered how we can encourage and model this type of simple life to Bethany’s congregation. Lent gives us an opportunity to practice together what it means to live more simply.

This year during Lent, you’ll notice some of the usual ways we simplify our worshipping life together: minimal announcements, more reflective prayer together, more quiet. You’ll also notice something new – a simpler approach to music. Solo ensemble leaders will replace full bands. The Choir will lead us in simple, reflective songs. It may feel a bit more stripped down.

Why are we doing this? In part, to experience simplicity in our singing, and to consider and appreciate what is absent. In part, to give our twenty dedicated ensemble musicians a break, a season of Sabbath rest.

We are excited about this opportunity to practice simplicity and quiet together as a congregation. We are excited for our musicians to have some space for family and rest and quiet. And we look forward to a wonderful, joyous, colorful (and maybe even loud) celebration of resurrection life (and music) on Easter Sunday!

Picture spirit by jonnybaker, 2007. Used with permission.