The Oasis - March 12, 2025
Author: Rev. Eric Dupee
March 12, 2025
Our Lenten journey is underway. Here is a little update. In the one hour I spent in front of
the church on Ash Wednesday, 11 people came through for ashes. There were 22 of us gathered
in the sanctuary at noon on Ash Wednesday for a brief service of prayer, music, and receiving of
ashes. Fellowship Hall was packed for the fantastic presentation on our church building by Scott
Stevens.
The pastor’s class will start up on Tuesday 3/18. The focus will be on “spiritual
resilience.” Spiritual resilience can be defined as the ability to maintain a positive sense of self
and purpose, even during challenging times, by drawing strength from one's beliefs, values, and
spiritual practices. I believe the church is the place where people can hear Christ urge them to a
victorious life. Jesus put it succinctly: “I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have
peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John
16:33). There will be an in-person gathering from 10-11am in my office. There will also be a
Zoom option at 6:30pm. I’d love for you to join in on one or the other. Please contact me for the
Zoom link eric@firstparishyork.net.
It is not too late to sign up for the Men’s Retreat on March 22 nd . Please see the
announcement about it in this Oasis. We have nearly 20 signed up tom participate. We’d love to
add you to the list. This will be an opportunity to get to know one another and develop the kind
of friendships and connections that are vital to the victorious Christian life to which Jesus urges
us.
Lastly, please see the notice on the second First Parish Forum: The Parent Café. It will be
a great time to connect with other parents and to address the challenges to parenting of children
of all ages. Please share it with parents you know.
My prayer is that you will have a meaningful and deep Lenten season. Catherine Doherty
wrote, “Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves… What is it that stands between us
and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit?
Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.”
Blessings,
Eric
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