Grace Cathedral

Dear Friends,

Four years ago, I tried writing a daily Haiku. I figured that even when words failed me, I could muster up 17 syllables. It became a deeply clarifying practice, and then a Lenten discipline. As we were closing in on Holy Week, I could hear a paraphrase of the Magnificat in my inner ear. I wrote it during Easter week, and found that as Easter unfolded, new texts came, too. I have continued to revise the texts of The Hymnal 1982, and to write new texts, all with the aim of better reflecting human, divine, and theological diversity.

I’m honored and grateful to have the opportunity to spend some focused time writing. I’ll be away February 28 to March 15 in West Marin with a cohort of other writers. This opportunity is made possible by the generous support of the Symington Sacred Advocacy Fellowship and Mesa Refuge, a writers’ retreat in Point Reyes Station focused on social justice, environmental justice and economic equity.

While I’m away, I’ll draft hymns for commemorations encouraged by The Episcopal Church, or called forth by the local community, and for which there is little repertoire. The nearest commemoration on the calendar is Trans Day of Visibility, which we’ll observe on the Eve on Sunday, March 30, at 6 pm. You might catch a preview while you’re donning your Carnivale finery — there is a live reading with my cohort on Point Reyes’ community radio station KWMR on Tuesday, March 4, at 4 pm.

As I’m making plans for this writing retreat, I’m simultaneously making plans for Lent and Holy Week. Some concern our corporate worship, while others are personal — looking at those deeply clarifying practices that call forth “that of God” in me. Because in my experience, putting our best foot forward in Lent starts with an intention, even a mere 17 syllables. Looking for a primer? Or curious about new ways to pray? Join me for My Soul Is Thirsting: Preparing for a Holy Lent, this Sunday, February 23, at 12:45 pm.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, this year on March 5, with Morning Prayer, and Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at noon and 6 pm, and the Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) in between. Ashes are made with blessed palms from last year’s Palm Sunday celebrations — bring yours to any service on Last Epiphany, March 2, and join the beautiful 6 pm Eucharist and rite of Palms to Ashes.

See you in church,

Anna

The Rev. Canon Anna E. Rossi