A Time for Joy
(Posted February 16, 2023)
By Rev. Pat Kriss, Pastor
"Mardi Gras is a state of mind." — Ed Muniz, former mayor, Kenner, Louisiana
This coming Sunday we’re going to kick it up a notch as it’s what we call “Mardi Gras Sunday” at First Church. So not only does it fall on a Jazz Sunday, but we hope to put some more joy back in our gatherings, with a little NOLA style.
And we could use your help. Myrna and Chris DeCew are heading up the Coffee Hour as they have so ably done before, and I thought we could help it be festive if some of us could add to the table any kind of sweet dessert we could bring with us. If you can, call Rachel Gonzales at the church office – 203-744-6177- and let her know. This weekend you’ll also get to meet Rachel, who joined us as our part time executive secretary two weeks ago.
Church Services on Sunday
In-Person Service begins at 10 a.m. Facemasks are optional if you are fully vaccinated.
Watch us on Facebook: We livestream our services to Facebook. You may view them live or on demand at www.Facebook.com/DanburyChurch/videos.
What is Mardi Gras?
Since we’re talking about it, how did Mardi Gras come to be, and what’s its purpose?
It originated in France, with some of its roots to be found in the pagan celebration of the beginning of spring. But most of all, it was known as Shrove Tuesday in the Catholic Church – the day to dig out all the fatty and delicious food in the house, to be put away until after the 40 days of Lent are over. Lent begins next Wednesday with Ash Wednesday services.
(Our Ash Wednesday will be a candlelit evening of guitar music and meditation at 7 pm in Annie Orr Hall.)
What is Lent?
Most of all Mardi Gras Sunday, for us, is the end of the long post-Christmas season, and the beginning of the way we “reset” our spirits during Lent, by finding ways to be a better version of our pre-Lenten selves.
In other words, not so much a period of self-denial and more of a time of self-discovery. So come join us this Sunday to recapture the spirit of celebration. As they say in New Orleans, “Laissez les Bontemps roulez!”