Floriography

Floriography is the secret language of flowers. It bloomed first in eighteenth-century northern Europe, drawing on the fascination with flowers that cuts across cultures, times, and places.

In many churches, the word, “Alleluia” (“Praise God!”) is buried on Ash Wednesday. It’s not meant to be spoken until the end of Lent because the 40 days of Lent are a time of prayer and quiet reflection, a time of fallowness and rest and longing, a time for growing deep.

On Easter, all those buried Alleluias sprout up in all the prayers and songs. They flower on the tongue.

The same is true for flowers. In some churches, all flowers are removed from the sanctuary during Lent. Then, on Easter morning the sanctuary blooms with a party of tulips and daffodils, hyacinths and lilies — potted Alleluias!

The perfume of life spills down the aisles and out the front door. A glimpse of the garden of Eden is restored. Resurrection is spread through the world like pollen on the wind, and Christians head out like bees covered in good news to spread it everywhere they go.

This year we’d like to invite you on a Lenten journey that’s full of flowers.

Just at the time of year when things seem most barren and flowerless, we hope you’ll join us in considering the lilies, as Jesus asked us to do.

And not just the lilies, but the Paperwhites, tulips, the forget-me-nots, the snowdrops, the weeds, too, to see what they might have to teach us about life and death and resurrection on Easter morning.

Lent Kits

This year we have prepared Lent Kits with several items for your faith journey. The kits include a Narcissus Bulb with pebbles and planter, several tea bags, a Card Calendar and a Devotional Booklet. 

Please contact the church office if you need to pick up an extra Lent Kit or have one mailed out to you.