Private Lenten Practices: They Aren't All Chocolate-less Any More

If, like me, you are of a certain age, the beginning of Lent meant that you were obliged to 'give up' something you really enjoyed until Easter.  The chocolate industry collectively rolled its eyes if Ash Wednesday began before Valentine's day because sales would drop significantly.
In 2012 we now have a many options to choose from.  In the event that you haven't yet selected a Lenten practice,  here is a listing of some of the many options available to you.  Enjoy (yes, that is permitted during Lent)!
1)  Exploring the Psalms with Barbara Crafton would, dear Farmers, top the list.  This e-course runs daily from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.  You can subscribe to this series right now by using this link: http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=124.
2) Two offerings by forwardmovement.org: a) online Forward Day By Day - that little devotional booklet is online! Link: http://forwardmovement.org/Today-s-Meditation/; b) Rev. Tim Schenck (one of  the 'A Few Good Writers' section of www.geraniumfarm.org is teaming up with Rev. Scott Gunn (Executive Director of Forward Movement) for a series of battles between well and lesser known saints in  Lent Madness (it's a basketball reference).  Learn about an array of saints, tossed into competition for "The Golden Halo Award".  Join in with this link: http://www.lentmadness.org/.
3) Search your diocesan website for local quiet days and retreats.  A listing of all diocesan websites are listed here: http://episcopalchurch.org/browse/diocese.
4) Several Episcopal religious orders are offering retreats and/or quiet days either online or at their convents/monasteries.  Here are the websites of a few that have come to my attention: a) The Society of St. John the Evangelist - http://ssje.org/lent/ or another link that's intriguing - http://giveupaword.org/;  b) Order of the Holy Cross - http://www.holycrossmonastery.com/retreat-programs; c) Order of St. Helena - www.osh.org; d) Community of St. John Baptist - http://www.csjb.org/index.php.

5) Promote Episcopal Relief and Development.  This organization saves lives and supports those in need both in this country and throughout the world.  Link: http://www.er-d.org/lent/.

6) If none of the above suggestions addresses your needs, you could consider donating a few hours as a volunteer either in your parish (before Easter every church has a 'spruce up' day, whether indoors or out) or some other organization which always needs volunteers: Habitat for Humanity - http://www.habitat.org; your local animal shelter (walk a dog - which will do both of you some good); a local senior center or housing facility, just to name a few.

We here at The Geranium Farm wish each and every one of you an enriching, memorable Lenten journey.