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Dear Beloveds, A couple weeks ago, we heard of the tragic death of Alexei Navalny, who was a political prisoner in Russia and an outspoken activist. This devastating news powerfully and poignantly reminded us, once again, of the brokenness of our world. Navalny worked toward a cause for which he deeply believed, sought to speak the truth he felt in his heart, and pursued the hope of a different future for his country. He was an example of courage, and a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. His death, to me, symbolized a stark example of injustice for the entire world, and we continue to witness oppression and suffering around the world each day. In the light of all the injustice that we see, and when we face such dark news, it can be easy to become discouraged, feel overwhelmed and disheartened. His life, as well as his death, remind us that our world desperately needs justice and those who will speak for it. It is hard to see hope for a better future for our humanity in such times when we hear bad news in the world. But I am convinced that in our darkest hours, we must try to find hope, even when things look so bleak. We are in a time of mourning and grief in a way, during this Lenten season. We remember the suffering of Jesus and the pain that He endured during these 40 days. His teachings remind us that even in the midst of great pain and suffering, there is the sweet promise of redemption and renewal. As believers and seekers, it is through our faith in God's love and mercy that we can somehow find a glimpse of hope and a way to persevere when things look the worst. As we look toward Easter Sunday, as we walk in these dark 40 days, we can be reminded that we are on a journey of transformation, and we are called to be changed each day to be made more like Christ; to walk humbly to love mercy, and to seek justice for those who are powerless. On Ash Wednesday, I was honored to be able to attend noontime mass at Corpus Christi, our neighboring Catholic church in the Palisades. Father Kidney reminded everyone present that there are three things to remember during Lent: to pray, to fast, and to give alms. Part of the way that we can enact these three things during the Lenten season is to continue to lift everything up in prayer; he explained that fasting can mean to give something up in your life to sacrifice, and to give alms means to think of other people, and I believe it can also mean to take action for the oppressed. May God lead us during this time, and may we hold tight to the knowledge that this is God’s world, and that God’s love will prevail. With great love for you, Pastor Grace
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