The Episcopal Church Office of Black Ministries has issued a free Lenten Study Resource designed to invite all ages to participate in the reflective nature of Lent.

The Lenten Study Resource, “Fill Me, Use Me…for the Work of Ministry” is available here.

“The Lenten Study Resource has been designed upon the foundation of faith formation to serve as a companion to you on your Lenten journey as you take on the disciplines of holy listening and reflection in preparation for the Lord’s passion and resurrection,” explained the Rev. Angela Ifill, Missioner for the  Office of Black Ministries.

We place before you the plight of many of God’s children who everyday lives are threatened by the systematic push out of classrooms into the prison system. Schools across the country have adopted Federal Zero Tolerance policies, the War on Drugs and the No Child Left Behind Act to create the School-to-Prison Pipeline that disproportionately affects children of color.

It is our prayer that as you become familiar with the details of the discussion materials, you will ask how might God be calling you into service to participate in God’s mission that is already taking place in the world. In the Baptism Liturgy there are two specific questions to guide our reflections. 1) “Will you who witness these vows do al in your power to support these person in their life in Christ?” 2) “Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?” These indicate to us that we have a responsibility toward all of God’s children. And was we are called to be the voice of the voiceless and to transform unjust structures of society, we hope that you will be guide by your belief in the awesome power of God to create places of hope and life-giving spirit for young people.

Rooted in the Baptismal Covenant, each section is presented in key highlights: Opening Ritual, Scripture Reading, Reflection, Exploring the Landscape, Discussion Questions, Closing Ritual, and Assignment.

Also included in the Lenten Study Resource are the Baptismal Covenant from the Book of Common Prayer, the Five Marks of Mission, and the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation.

Image from Springfield Institute