SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Thoughts are on the cross each Wednesday in the basement of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, as members from across the city's Christian community meet weekly until Easter for Lenten lunches.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church priest Joey Royal, left, joins Tim, Jamie and baby Sara Schaap for some soup at Lenten lunch in the basement of Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Wednesday. - Thandiwe Vela/NNSL photo
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Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of Lent, fell this year on Feb. 13. During this period, observers around the world reflect intensely on the passion of Jesus Christ -- a pivotal period in the faith -- culminating with Easter feast.
"Before these big major feasts, or days during the church calendar like Christmas and Easter, there's always this period of preparation. And Lent is a period of preparation," explained Holy Trinity priest Joey Royal. "It's a period of self-examination and repentance and preparation.
"The intent is acknowledging the death and resurrection of Christ. The way in which that brings our salvation and forgives our sins and gets us right with God."
While Christians around the world take part in rituals including prayer, repentance, and fasting during the season of Lent, Lenten lunches are a tradition that has been taking place in Yellowknife for some 40 years.
Organized by the Yellowknife Ministerial Association, which is comprised of pastors from churches across town including the Baptist, Pentecostal, Alliance, Catholic, Lutheran, United, and Vineyard churches, residents are invited to Holy Trinity each Wednesday at noon until Easter for soup and sandwiches.
Each week a different pastor delivers a message over lunch, with this year's theme being What the Cross Means To Me.
"I've never seen a crucifixion," said Yellowknife Alliance Church pastor Al Harvey, whose bafflement at being invited to speak about his personal experience at the cross drew laughs at Lenten lunch last Wednesday.
"I can say with a pure heart," he continued, "Jesus, thank you that I have no personal experience on the cross, but I will worship you, the one who has had a personal experience on the cross."
Easter Sunday falls this year on March 31.
