Council of Churches Presents Season of Lent with Soup and Services

— from Suzanne Olson —

SEASON OF LENT: SOUP AND SERVICES ON ORCAS

The Orcas Council of Churches is again hosting a season of Lent services at places of worship across the island. This ecumenical tradition brings islanders of all faiths together for fellowship, music and a bountiful shared meal of home-made soups and bread.

The season begins with a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish on March 4th. Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent when many Christians eat plainer food. Ash Wednesday services will be offered at St. Francis Catholic Church and at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish on March 5th.

The following series of five Wednesday Lent events includes a hosted supper of soup and bread and a short service on this year’s theme of “Hope and Peace.” All are welcome!

• March 12th @ 5:30 p.m. – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (Emmanuel Parish Hall, 218 Main St.)
• March 19th @ 5:30 p.m. – St. Francis Catholic Church (956 N. Beach Rd.)
• March 26th @ 5:30 p.m. – Emmanuel Episcopal and Lutheran Church (Parish Hall, 218 Main St.)
• April 2nd @ 5:30 p.m. – Orcas Island Community Church (176 Madrona St.)
• April 9th @ 5:30 p.m. – Emmanuel Episcopal Parish (Parish Hall, 218 Main St.)

For more information on individual events, please contact:

• Emmanuel Episcopal Parish: 376-2352
• The Orcas Island Community Church: 376-6422
• Orcas Island Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: 376-8007
• St. Francis Catholic Church: 378-2910

The Council of Churches is a non-denominational group of spiritual leaders representing Orcas Island fellowships of faith who meet regularly to coordinate efforts, share resources and “till the common ground” to meet the needs of the community. The Council of Churches includes representatives from Emmanuel Episcopal Parish, the Orcas Island Community Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, St. Francis Catholic Church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the Lutheran Church in the San Juans. For more information on the Council of Churches, contact Dick Staub (dsjr@dickstaub.com).