First Sunday of Lent and Forgiveness Sunday

Today is the first Sunday in Lent, and also Forgiveness Sunday in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It's officially the last day of the Maslenitsa festival in Russia. Lent starts tomorrow, on Clean Monday, in both the Russian and Greek churches. 

Agenda Today:

1. Contemplate the testimony of equality
2. Journal queries
3. Go to a Racism Workshop
4. Ask Forgiveness

5. Make Tyropita (Cheese Pie)
6. Have a fire

1. Contemplate the Testimony of Equality:

Quaker’s have used the term “testimonies” since the 17th century to mean a public profession of religious experience, and understanding of the truth. We don’t have a creed (a statement of shared beliefs) because we have a conviction that we each must live our lives according to our own spiritual experience.

For Friends, a testimony is a spiritual leading to action, where spirit and action come together. This month, as I sit prepare for Easter, I am led to review and work on my calling towards equality.

North Pacific Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice says:
"Every person has the capacity to experience the Inner Light. This common humanity transcends our differences. Equality does not mean having the same ability, economic resources, or social status but rather, treating every person with respect and love...

We ask ourselves whether we are actively living out the testimony of equality in our personal lives, in our meetings, and in the world. We recognize that members of oppressed groups, especially those easily identifiable by their appearance, are subject to prejudice and discrimination. We know that the same is true of poor people and the working class. They face obstacles, both personal and institutional, that others do not, in gaining education or living wage employment. More subtly, they constantly face the unthinking assumptions of others and a lack of sensitivity to their social conditions. We acknowledge that members of the Religious Society of Friends who are white, or from other entitled groups, may benefit from privilege and may exhibit prejudice and discrimination, even unintentionally.

As Friends, we share a vision of a social order based on the testimony of equality—it embraces and seeks to transform all of human society. This vision, and the inner transformation that enables us to see it and live it, enhances our spiritual connectedness and can transcend our differences."

2. Journal queries:

Do I regularly examine myself for evidence of privilege and prejudice?
What am I doing to overcome the contemporary effects of past and present oppression?
How do I avoid being drawn into violent reactions against those who are destructive of human dignity? Do I reach out to the violator as well as the violated with courage and love?

3. Go to a "White Ally" workshop:

I signed up for the White Ally Toolkit Workshop and today is the day! David Campt, an African-American educator, came up with this program that helps white people talk to each other about race, in an attempt to create better dialogue and to educate people who may not believe that racism exists.

Unfortunately, I'm recovering from the flu, and I don't have enough energy to participate, so I am passing my tickets on to a friend.

4. Ask Forgiveness:

The traditional theme of the Lenten fast is repentance and reconciliation with God. The Eastern Orthodox Church reminds us that we can't have that without first being reconciled with one another. Tonight they have a special Forgiveness Vespers, and at the end everyone takes part in the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness-- each person will bow down, first before the priest, and then each other, asking, “Forgive me, a sinner” and the proper response is “God forgives you”. 

Each person asks forgiveness from, and offers forgiveness to, each other person, then exchanges the kiss of peace. 

Quakers don't go in for this kind of ceremony, but I can imagine that it's a powerful moment. Wesley J. Smith says "The service is a healing balm. It is hard to bear grudges when all have shared such an intimate mutual humbling. Indeed, Forgiveness Vespers is emotionally intense, tears often flow and hugs of true reconciliation are common."

As a Quaker, I have had to figure out simple ways to offer forgiveness and feel that humbling moment, and I do it as often as I can, with honest words, a note, or a silent prayer.

5. Make Tyropita (Cheese Pie):

Forgiveness Sunday is also known as Cheesefare Sunday. Today is the last day that dairy products are permitted.  Sweet or savory cheese pies are popular traditional Greek foods today.

This recipe is pretty easy to make, and very, very rich and good. You can use your favorite cheeses and herbs, and either store-bought puff pastry or home-made pie pastry.

Ingredients: 

• 2 sheets of puff pastry, or pie pastry for a 2-crust pie
• 1/4 c. butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 c. milk
• 6 oz. feta
• 6 oz. myzithra cheese (or ricotta)
• 8 oz. Gruyere cheese
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint or other fresh herbs

Yield: Makes 1 pie-

1- Thaw out the puff pastry for 40 minutes, just so you can unfold the sheets. Or you can make regular pie pastry for a bottom and top crust, and chill for 30 minutes. 

2- Melt the butter and leave to cool. Beat the eggs and milk in a mixing bowl. Crumble the feta and grate the other cheeses, mix together with the eggs, and add freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped herbs, and set aside.

3- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Brush the sides and bottom of a glass pie plate with some of the melted butter.

4- Roll out one sheet of puff pastry, or half of the pie pastry,  on a floured board, until it's big enough to cover the pie plate and extend past the edges a couple of inches. Fill with the cheese mixture.

5- Roll out the second puff pastry or pie pastry, and cover the pie. Trim the edges a bit, then roll both top and bottom edges inward together to seal the pie so no filling can escape.

6- Brush with the remaining melted butter and score the top into servings without cutting it through. Bake in preheated oven for 30 - 45 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Have a fire:

2017 Maslenitsa fire

On Forgiveness Sunday evening in Russia, the whole town gathers to throw the Maslenitsa effigy doll onto a huge bonfire. The doll symbolizes winter; they hope that all their problems will leave along with winter.

When I have this fire with children, we talk about the symbolism of burning away the winter so that spring can return. And because most of us have a primitive love of burning things, it takes only a minute for my students to be gleefully on board. We march together out to the fire circle, say a few words of thanks, stick the doll into the ground and watch it burn.

This year I made a smaller doll which went around with me for two weeks in my coat pocket and on my handlebars. 





Today I was ready to have a send off. I lit a tiny fire, and had a private moment, thinking about the year past and all I'm grateful for, and all I will be happy to have in the past. 

Can I forgive our leaders for the pain they have brought us? I offer a silent prayer of hope.

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