Ideas for Lent 2023

As the season of Lent approaches, here is a reminder that there are many resources out there! So here are a few to consider using in your own Lent practice, with a small group, or even at worship.

1. 40 Together: 1 Body, 1 Ministry, 40 Days

Our favorite, of course, is our very own 40 Together materials. We provide two printable booklets, one full of daily devotions and the other with a variety of weekly activities like music, recipes for cooking, crafts, and discussion questions.

40 Together: 1 Body, 1 Ministry, 40 Days Lenten initiative is designed for practicing ministry together in accompaniment of our siblings in Christ in Tanzania, Colombia, the U.S./Mexico borderlands, and our local South Sudanese communities. We are inviting each congregation to consider giving $1 for every member of their congregation during Lent. The funds collected during this time will go to Tanzanian education and healthcare, Colombian education, local South Sudanese hunger ministries, local refugee ministries (including resettlement), and local food grants.

Visit the 40 Together page for all information, ideas, and downloads: semnsynod.org/40together

But if 40 Together is not the right fit for you this season, here are a couple more ideas.

2. Lent in a Box, from Church Anew

According to the Church Anew website, this option is "Everything you need to guide your community through a meaningful Lenten season." With this you get a daily devotional, spiritual practice instructions, children's content, sermon series options, and worship resources.

Learn more: https://churchanew.org/resources/lent-in-a-box-2023-online

3. 40 Days of Giving, from ELCA World Hunger

This set of resources is available to download or order from ELCA World Hunger. They provide a calendar, study guide, action guide, and offer an email list you can join. As they say, "study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world."

Learn more, download or order resources, and join the email list at: https://elca.org/40Days

Blessings on your Lenten preparations!