Lent is a journey of spiritual preparation of following the way of Christ and opening up our hearts to the good news of resurrection. This journey begins with Ash Wednesday, where we contemplate the reality of our own sin and mortality so that we may also contemplate the good news of Christ’s victory over them. We invite you to join us for our first Midweek meal on this day so that we may be reminded through the breaking of bread together that such a journey is one we go on together as the Body of Christ.

Exploring new, contemplative ways to commune with the Spirit of God can invite us to a deeper spiritual journey. One example of this is Labyrinth, an ancient practice where we are invited to simply walk and pray through a guided path designed to center your focus. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has but one path with many twists and turns. Our Pastor of Care, Kay Mutert, is a Veriditas Master Teacher of the prayer labyrinth and will be guiding us on how to engage this practice in manners that deepen our connection with Christ.

We all know that spiritual disciplines are important, but if we’re honest, we often struggle with making them a meaningful part of our normal lives. How might this season invite us to renew our commitment to spiritual disciplines? What might that look like? Kay Mutert and Billy Rainey will be leading a conversation that engages this subject, offering their own ideas while also cultivating space for us all to learn from one another. Ready to take your next step in spiritual disciplines? Then this conversation is for you!

As we continue our Lenten journey of following the way of Christ, it’s imperative to deepen our commitment to serving those on the margins. We will offer a good “next step” for this journey by coming together to pack food bags for those experiencing homelessness in the Birmingham area. Make plans to join us and invite your friends as we seek to follow the way of Christ through this meaningful mission.

When one joins Bluff Park UMC, one of the commitments of faithful participation in the life of the church is that of witness. Our witness is our testimony to how we’ve seen the living God at work in our lives. As we seek to deepen our witness, let us come together to hear from a few of our own of the way in which God has worked in their own lives so that we may be encouraged, encourage them, and become a people who encourage others to know that they are known and loved by God. 

A good ol’ fashioned game of Bunco might not be the first thing you associate with the Lenten season. However, the journey of embodying our faith as a community includes the simplicity of having a little fun as we do life together, knowing that God is with us as we celebrate the divine gift of simply being alive. So, we thought we’d offer a space to do just that! Bunco is a social dice game that is often played in large groups due to interactiveness and ease of play. So whether it’s your first time or hundredth time playing, come have fun and make fond memories with your church community!

The Stations of the Cross depict through artistic expression the path that Christ walked on the day of his crucifixion. On the Wednesday of holy week, our discipleship team will be leading us through this journey using the stations found in our sanctuary. Join us for a time of prayer and reflection on the passion of Christ and the love of God from which nothing can separate us.

The impact of suicide has been felt by so many people in our own lives and communities. Such a reality beckons us as a people of faith to cultivate a community where those who struggle with suicidal desperation can find hope, community, and steadfast love. Join us as our pastoral team leads us through Soul Shop, a workshop that engages the question of how to cultivate a soul-safe culture within your congregation. This will include training on suicide awareness and basic conversation skills to help those in the midst of struggle. 

Think Holy Communion is confusing? Think you basically don’t need to bother with it? Think again, it’s one of God’s best ways of communing with YOU. At the heart of our Midweek gatherings is the desire to cultivate a faith community of deep connection, vibrant life, and Christian love that witnesses to the good news of Christ. What better way to cap off this journey than through a special time of holy communion? Join us as we not only participate in this sacrament, but seek a deeper understanding of the profound beliefs that proclaim through this simple meal.