The Lenten theme was a four-fold focus to move from belief to action (as suggested by Sallie McFague):
- Experience of Voluntary Poverty: models of self-emptying
- Focus Attention on Needs of others: seeing our interdependence
- Gradual development of a “universal self” : widening circles of compassion and empathy (increase delight as self/ego is diminished)
- New Models of ways of Living: Take only your share/clean up after yourself/keep house in good repair.
Our Advent series was based on the book The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. “Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up each morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging”.