How ‘bout this weather! What a good Eastertide gift, in addition to an empty tomb, stuffed with hope. I have been the Pastor of FAB for all of 10 weeks now. I started my ministry with you on Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. Even with my family’s personal belongings scattered across town, the evening and weekend work on our new house, getting the kids situated in a new school midyear, finding new doctors, pharmacies, stores, and gas stations—I so enjoyed beginning my ministry with you in the busy season of Lent.

I believe Lent often gets a bad rap. Yes, it is a penitential season. Yes, it is a bit more minor key. Yes, it builds a crucifixion and ends beside a grave. But Lent is also a rich invitation the church gives itself to grow spiritually. Each year, it’s set aside by us, for us, not to flagellate self but to focus self. Forty days stretching from winter’s cold and dark into spring's warmth and light. Forty days to give something up and use the void, the ache it leaves behind as a cue to turn toward God. Forty days to add something that helps draw our fragmented attention and intention toward the life of Jesus Christ. Forty days set aside not only to get us ready for Easter, but to build us more and more into Easter people.

Church historian Lynne Boughton says, “The length of Lent — 40 days — comes straight from Scripture. The Ark of the Covenant spent 40 days and 40 nights on the sea before it landed where God wanted it to be; the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert before they reached their homeland; and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting in preparation for his public ministry.” Boughton also notes that the earliest evidence we have for the church’s observance of Lent dates to 305 CE. By my math, that’s 62 years before Athanasius’s Easter Letter, in which the 27 books of the New Testament were listed together for the first time!

I so enjoyed beginning my ministry with you in the busy, beautiful season of Lent. Thank you for showing up, for being a part, for welcoming my family and me. 

We’ve enjoyed some good synergy these 10 weeks!

With Easter Sunday in the rearview mirror, Eastertide well underway, and April giving way to May, there will be more travel. There will be more absences from commission meetings and worship services. That’s normal. Everyone needs a break, including the pastor and his family. I only ask that you continue to be as mindful of our church in the seasons of Eastertide and Pentecost as you have been in Lent. Be as present as you can. Be as consistent in giving as you can. Volunteer to do something for God through FAB as you are able. It’s remarkable what a church can accomplish when we all take a part, all year long.

I’m delighted to be here as your pastor. Truly delighted. Lent got us started. Let’s keep at it, together.

~ Rev. Zach Bay