March 2026

Click to access March Steeple

Dear Church Family,

This Lent we are exploring A Different Kind of Fast - a meditative book by Christine Valters Paintner which offers practices and tools for not only letting go of habits and ways of being, but step by step embracing a more meaningful way of being in the world. When (perhaps if!) we fast from food, we are made more aware of the ache in our stomachs. It is not meant to be some form of punishment or martyrdom, but instead a way to be mindful of what is filling up without nourishing, what our true needs are, and to savor more the realities of provision in our lives. So when we fast from more non-physical practices like inattention, scarcity anxiety and certainty, we are intentionally removing elements of our daily rhythms in order to instead embrace a more Christlike perspective and practice. When we remove something that has become a habit or way of moving about our life, the gap we leave is meant to call in our awareness, and invite us into something more meaningful.

I don’t think everyone needs to buy this Lenten devotional, but I personally love the easy access to tools and invitations for more contemplative participation in what God is doing. Building habits to connect with God isn’t something that comes naturally to me - I think about all the years of church participation and mentorships I have been privy to, in which I picked up nuggets all along the way of prayer practices, of ways of opening up to God, of how to be present to the Spirit while in God’s word. It takes time, and for me I have needed guides and accountability. We should never assume it’s easy for anyone, or obvious, since we are all on different legs of this faith journey. So I want to offer here a few of the practices she outlines. Each day of the week offers a different practice, which you can try on at your leisure. Maybe one doesn’t fit quite right, while another resonates as a pathway forward for you. You might consider doing one with a friend, and/or journaling about what you experience. These excerpts come from Paintner’s instructions in the devotional:

Lecto Divina - The words mean diving reading, and is a practice of slowing down to dwell in a short passage of scripture to marinate in the words, and explore the invitation God’s Spirit might be working in you. Here are the main movements, ideal to practice when you carve out 10-15min to try it on. Each week I’ll have a passage in the bulletin - for the week of March 1st we’ll be in Mark 12:41-44. Give each movement 3-4 minutes for exploration. 

First Movement: Lectio Find a comfortable space and position in which to settle yourself. Feet on the floor, deep breaths, slow down and settle in. Read the selected passage once or twice slowly, and listen for a word of phrase that feels significant, that captures your attention. 

Second Movement: Meditatio Read the text again, allowing the word or phrase you settle on to spark your imagination. Savor it with your senses - notice what smells, sounds, tastes, sights, and feelings are evoked. Explore what images, feelings, and memories get stirred up - welcome them in, and rest in this experience.

Third Movement: Oratio Read the text a third time and listen for an invitation rising up from your experience of prayer so far. Consider the word or phrase and what it has evoked for you in memory, image, or feeling - what is the invitation? This invitation may be a summons toward a new awareness or action.

Fourth Movement: Contemplatio Make space to simply rest in the awareness of the sacred, allowing your heart to fill with gratitude for God’s presence in this time of prayer. Practice being still for several minutes, so simply slow your thoughts and reflect on God’s presence with you now. 

Breath Prayer: Our breaths sustain us moment by moment even when we are entirely unaware. We can bring intention to these breaths as a form of prayer! By repeating a short prayer on the inhale and exhale, breath prayer invites us to rest in the present moment, acting as gateways into the here and now. Theologian Dr. Barbara Holmes describes breath as “the sustainer of life and also the vehicle for entry into the contemplative center. We take deep breaths to still our thoughts, center our being and connect to a wisdom that permeates the universe.” Breathing sustains our bodies, but also brings us into communion with the sacred presence in all things.

Breathe in: Trusting

Breathe out: In divine abundance

As you inhale, feel your lungs and diaphragm fill with lifegiving oxygen and whisper “Trust.” As you exhale, feel your body loosen and soften, perhaps the edges of anxious thoughts wither slightly as you release into the possibility of divine abundance as a gracious reality. This breath prayer can be a couple minutes of focused attention, it can also be something you return to every once in a while during your day or week.

Contemplative Walking: If you are able bodied, this can be a way to embody the themes we are exploring and see what you discover when you walk out in the world holding the intentions and prayers of the day. If you are unable to walk, consider sitting by a window and letting your imagination take you on a pilgrimage through what you see, perhaps adapting elements of this contemplative practice to your unique situation, environment, or view. Carve out some time for this activity, and dress appropriate for the experience. As you walk, stay present to the world as if it were a sacred text - notice and discover, be a witness to this moment. Pay attention to things around you that shimmer, what is calling your attention? What is inviting you to spend some time with it? As you see the world with the eyes of your heart, you will discover a way of seeing from an attitude of receptivity and openness, rather than focusing with the mind. 

This week - what would it look like to walk with trust as a companion? As you walk in the world, breathing slowly, paying attention to the signs and symbols around you, what does nature reveal about trust and divine abundance?

These are just 3 of the practices outlined for you to try on. I often have to try contemplative practices a few times before they begin to feel comfortable, and I stop second guessing whether I’m doing it ‘right. Full disclosure, there isn’t a right, it’s about exploring tools that help you better connect with God’s divine presence, right here and right now. God’s invitation and welcome is open to you, may you find a way to step inside. 

Lenten Blessings,

Pastor Becca