For Lent 2022, you are invited to join individuals and congregations in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod as we explore ministry together with our partners around the globe. 40 Together: 1 Body, 1 Ministry, 40 Days Lenten initiative is designed to practice 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. One dollar each, one time, in whatever way your community sees fit (for example, a congregation with 300 members might consider mailing in a gift of $300 during 40 Together). 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.
Daily Devotions Book (PDF)
A devotion for each Monday-Saturday of Lent, written by various leaders and members from around the synod.
Weekly Activities Packet (PDF)
Including...
- A prayer to start your time together
- A weekly activity for use with nearly any age or group size, modifiable to your context
- Discussion questions for use around a home or church table
- Recipe of the week, each focusing on the Tanzanian or Colombian culture
- One theme song: “We Are Marching in the Light” (found in ELW 866), provided in multiple languages with teaching videos
- Blessings in Swahili, Spanish, and English, to use whenever and wherever your family or small group meets
Worship Materials
Please consider adding the theme song, prayer petition, and blessings to your Lent worship services!
Theme Song: We Are Marching in the Light of God
- A hymn in the ELW, #866
- Video of Swahili
- Video of Spanish
- Download English, Spanish, and Swahili lyrics slides or videos here
Prayer:
God of Relationship, we give you thanks for the blessing of connectedness. Throughout the season of Lent, deepen our relationships with one another, with our community, and with all our global partners. We pray specifically today for our siblings in Christ in Tanzania, Colombia, the U.S./Mexico borderlands, and our local South Sudanese communities. May they have a strong sense of your Holy Spirit's nearness and guidance, and may we be inspired to accompany them in meaningful ways. In the compassionate name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
A Blessing in English, Spanish (Colombian), and Swahili:
We are walking in the light of God! Lord Jesus, be praised! Amen
Download slides:
Download teaching videos:
Weekly Video Devotions Playlist:
You should see the next video appear below, but if you click on the "YouTube" logo on the video or the playlist icon in the upper right corner you can access all six weekly videos now. You can also click here.
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Southeastern Minnesota Synod Office