Holy Trinity Fills its Pews as Host of Ecumenical Lenten Service

For six years, five churches in International Falls have been conducting ecumenical and community Lenten Services. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Zion Lutheran, First Lutheran, and Faith United Church of Christ have developed a way to preach the Gospel to the community during the Lenten period.

It was standing room only at Holy Trinity Church, International Falls, for the first ecumenical Lenten service of the season on February 13.

In this seventh year of services, the five spiritual leaders have chosen a Lenten topic that will be preached in each other’s churches on five consecutive Wednesday nights. This year’s theme is “Encountering Jesus.”

Holy Trinity hosted the first event Wednesday, February 13, which also included a soup supper open to the community. The first supper and service was attended by almost 200 participants. Seventeen different large pots of soup made by Holy Trinity members were served along with bread and beverages to make a simple Lenten meal.

Sue Hamily, of Faith United Church of Christ, preached at the service conducted by Lay Reader Carol Stillar, acolyte Andrew Kennedy and pianist Jeanne Strand of Holy Trinity. About 40 confirmands from various the churches attended.

Holy Trinity users Gary and Carolyn Davison hold more than $600 given to support the local food shelf.

All free will offerings taken at each of the five services will be given to the Falls Hunger Coalition in March, when the State will match the contributions given to local food shelves. During the past six years, participants in these services have contributed an estimated $20,000 to the local food shelf. The goal is to raise another $3,000 to $4,000 this year.

When community works together wonderful things get accomplished for those in need.

Among the guests at Holy Trinity at the February 13 Lenten supper and service was the famed football star Bronko Nagurski, Jr., a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in International Falls.